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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 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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