In accordance with 7 CFR 225.6(d) and 225.14 (c)(1), Sponsors must demonstrate financial and administrative capability for Program operations and accepts final financial and administrative responsibility for total Program operations at all sites at which it proposes to conduct a food service in accordance with the performance standards. The State agency may only approve the applications of those sponsors that meet the three performance standards: financial viability, administrative capability, and Program accountability. The State agency must deny applications that do not meet all of these standards. The State agency must consider past performance in the SFSP or another Child Nutrition Program, and any other factors it deems relevant when determining whether the sponsor's application meets the performance standards. 

The New York State Education Department (SED) has developed a Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Financial Viability, Capability, and Accountability (VCA) Form and VCA Checklist that sponsors will be required to complete and submit with their 2024 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor Application/Renewal. Only School Food Authorities (SFAs) in good standing and institutions in good standing in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are exempt from this requirement. 

A complete VCA form must be submitted to SED with all supporting documentation for:

• All new sponsors in 2024
• All sponsors up for review in 2024
• At SED's discretion, any sponsor with program irregularities or past review findings.

SED will provide in-depth training on the VCA requirements in the Spring. SED is releasing this information ahead of the training, to provide sponsors sufficient time to review the requirements, evaluate their capacity to operate the SFSP, and begin preparing the necessary documentation. Please send any questions you may have to CNSFSP@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-473-8781 to speak with a representative of the Child Nutrition SFSP.