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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: 
Frances O'Donnell
Date: 
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Subject: 
K-12 Building Eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program and Snacks

Kindergarten - 12 buildings can base eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and/or snacks served in after school care under the National School Lunch Program on elementary grade data alone, in lieu of using the combined percentage of free and reduced price applications to enrollment for all grades housed in the building as an indicator of area eligibility.

At the federal level, it is believed that the percentages obtained by comparing elementary level free and reduced price applications to enrollment are more accurate as indicators of area eligibility than combined school building data because: (1) elementary schools are more likely to serve children who live close to the school and would be most likely to participate in the SFSP or after school care and (2) participation in school meal programs is much higher in elementary schools and more accurately reflects the area's need for these programs.

Program eligibility, based on elementary date in a K-12 building, must be documented prior to approval for these programs. This documentation must include the total number of children eligible for free or reduced price meals and the total enrollment by individual grade level for all elementary grades served served by the building. To ensure timely approval for K-12 participation in the SFSP and/or snacks served after school, please submit the eligibility documentation outlined in this paragraph to your respective Child Nutrition Representative.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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