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Summer Food Service Program

Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas - Revised

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. (1) This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. (2) This memorandum applies to State agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.

Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the SFSP

On September 19, 2022, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the Final Rule: Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the SFSP. The rule amended Summer Food Service (SFSP) regulations to strengthen program integrity by clarifying, simplifying, and streamlining program administration to facilitate compliance with program requirements.

SFSP Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

The New York State Education Department (SED), Office of Child Nutrition Program Administration, will host a webinar to provide information on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023. SED will discuss the allowance for and conditions when non-congregate meals can be provided to children from low-income rural areas with no access to congregate meals.

2023 Turnip the Beet Awards

The Turnip the Beet Award recognizes outstanding summer meal program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious during the summer months.  Being selected as a winner brings a sense of pride and validation to your program and your community.

For more information on the criteria and how to apply go to: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/turnip-the-beet.

*Dates Updated* 2023 Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Training

The New York State Education Department (SED), Office of Child Nutrition Program Administration, will host multiple training sessions to provide guidance on the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Summer Food Service Program sponsors and potential new sponsors.  All sponsors new to the SFSP must attend the two-day webinar.  Experienced sponsors, or sponsors that operated in 2022, may register for an in-person session or the webinar on March 27, 2023.  The same information will be presented for experienced sponsors at the in-person session and webinar.  The in-person sess

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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Click here for Nondiscrimination Statement translations.

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