School Breakfast Program

Original memo dated October 13, 2020.  Updates are indicated by double asterisks (**). 

The New York State Education Department (SED) has elected the use of the Nationwide waiver flexibilities provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year:

SED is now accepting applications for participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the 2020-2021 school year until December 31, 2020 to the extent that federal and state funding allows. This is for new sponsors who have not been approved to operate the SFSP.  The deadline to submit an application is October 31, 2020.  To request an application, please fill out this SFSP Application Request Form here.

Ensuring Access to Meals

As instructed by the New York State Division of Budget (DOB), the New York State Education Department (NYSED) will be reducing some Child Nutrition reimbursement claims by 20%. The DOB directive affects State reimbursement payments only. Federal reimbursement payments will remain at 100%.

To identify a reduced claim, please refer to the Invoice Number of the payment.

Adult Selling Prices

Breakfast

• Schools that receive regular reimbursement for breakfast must charge a minimum of $2.00 plus tax for an adult breakfast meal
• Schools that receive severe need reimbursement for breakfast must charge a minimum of $2.37 plus tax for an adult breakfast meal

Lunch

• Schools that receive under 60% ($3.5699) for lunch must charge a minimum of $3.94 plus tax for an adult lunch

The New York State Education Department is requesting a waiver from the USDA requirements that schools must make water available and accessible to children during the meal services as this would pose a significant challenge given the current circumstances of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This waiver has not been approved at this time. Further guidance will be made available upon approval.

"The closing of schools in March 2020 has profoundly affected the lives of New Yorkers. This impact will continue through the 2020-21 school year and beyond. While no one can predict all the challenges that may arise over the coming weeks and months, it is imperative that we plan for a safe and orderly return to school."

Below is a list of Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites that operated in 2019.

• EXCEL
• PDF

The memo below is regarding feeding children in need and child care for essential workers during the summer.  For the original memo, please click here.

As schools closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was critical that school districts provide meals to all students and particularly to students who rely on the two meals a day provided in school when school is open.