What is SFSP?
Though it is a problem year-round, food insecurity is a major concern during summer and longer school breaks as it leaves children without their usual food sources. The Summer Food Service Program, or SFSP, is a federally funded, state-administered program. It works to reach children in need through sites operated by schools, government agencies, summer camps, day camps, churches, or community organizations. As an entitlement program, it guarantees a reimbursement for each qualifying snack or meal served.*
Does your child qualify?
Any child that is eligible for free or reduced-price meals qualifies for SFSP. This eligibility is dependent upon an application and enrollment process.
To qualify for free meals: Children must live in households with incomes below 130 percent of the poverty level or a household receiving help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
To qualify for reduced-price meals: Family incomes must be between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty line.
The exception to these qualifications is if the SFSP is located in a high-poverty area, one in which at least 50 percent of area children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. In this case, all children at the site are eligible to receive SFSP.
To learn more about The Summer Food Service Program please follow this link.
*Reimbursable meals served through SFSP sites must meet federal nutrition standards.