The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides low-income children with free, nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session and when increased numbers of children are at risk of hunger because they cannot access school meal programs. SFSP is the single-largest federal resource available for local sponsors who want to feed children in the summer months.
Through the SFSP, summer programs can provide up to two healthy meals or snacks per day to children and minor teenagers at approved sites in low-income areas, as well as to mentally or physically disabled adults who participate in school programs. (Some sites that primarily serve migrant children are able to provide three meals or snacks per day.) SFSP sponsors––schools, public agencies, camps, and private nonprofit organizations like food banks––receive reimbursement payments for allowable costs, such as food or administrative support staff. Additionally, all sponsors receive training from their state agency before starting the program to learn how to plan, operate, and monitor a successful food service program.
Three Types of SFSP Sites
There are three main types of SFSP sites that can be approved by a state: open, enrolled, or camp sites.
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Open sites operate in low-income areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Any child in the community may eat at open sites.
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Enrolled sites provide free meals to the children enrolled in an activity program where at least half of the children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Only the children enrolled in the local program can eat at these sites.
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Camps may also participate in SFSP; but are reimbursed only for the meals served to children who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Meals are provided to children, free of charge, at all SFSP sites.
Evolution of the SFSP
The foundation for the SFSP was laid during a three-year pilot project started in 1968 and the program became permanent in 1975. Over the years, significant enhancements and reforms have been instituted. Major reforms to the program were initiated as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, the most significant being the elimination of private nonprofit organization sponsors, with the exception of schools and camps. Private nonprofit organization sponsors were subsequently readmitted with certain conditions in 1989 as part of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. Significant changes were also made in 1996 as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.
In 2001 Congress enacted the Simplified Summer Food Service Program (also known as the Lugar Pilot) in 6 states, which enhanced the program’s overall effectiveness by simplifying the reporting requirements for sponsors and removing the wall between administrative and operational expenses. Additional states were added to the pilot in 2005 and 2006. The FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act expanded the pilot to all sponsors, in all states nationwide.
Current Legislative Priorities and Challenges
While the SFSP has made great strides in the fight against childhood hunger in the summer months, much more can be done. To facilitate this work, Congress should enact further legislation to:
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Expand open-site eligibility for the SFSP;
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Restore SFSP meal reimbursement rates to pre-Welfare Reform (1996) levels with adjustments for inflation;
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Expand Rural Transportation Pilot Programs to encourage sponsorship and participation in rural areas, which are severely underserved in the SFSP.
More Resources
To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program, please contact Karrie Denniston at 202-546-7001.
Feeding America Summer Food Service Program Fact Sheet
USDA Summer Food Service Program Page