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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: 
Summer Food Service Program Operators
From: 
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Date: 
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Subject: 
Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3

USDA released a third set of questions and answers on the rural non-congregate summer meals option established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Act) (PL 117-328), and codified through the interim final rule (IFR), Implementing Provisions from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs (88 FR 90230). The Act authorized permanent, non-congregate meal service through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and National School Lunch Program’s (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for rural areas with no congregate meal service.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide State agencies and program operators with additional clarification on rural non-congregate requirements and guidance to enhance program integrity. The first memorandum in this series, SFSP 07-2024, SP 13-2024, Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers, February 21, 2024, updates earlier guidance originally issued for Summer 2023 operations and ensures consistency with the provisions of the IFR. The second memorandum in this series, SFSP 08-2024, SP 15-2024, Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers #2, March 27, 2024, addresses additional implementation topics based on feedback received by State agencies and program stakeholders. The following operational topics are addressed in this guidance:

  • Meal Service and Meal Quality;
  • Civil Rights Requirements;
  • Monitoring and Program Integrity; and
  • General/Miscellaneous.

Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3

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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.

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