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Home » Policy & Funding » Child Nutrition » Summer Food Service Program

Summer Food Service Program

Update: OSPI Requesting Waiver for Non-Congregate Meals

Washington state is requesting a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive the requirement, under certain circumstances, for congregate meals in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). OSPI CNS has been receiving an influx of concerns from SFSP sponsors regarding safety incidents at summer meal sites resulting in some staff and families not wanting to participate in meals. The safety of SFSP sponsors and participants is OSPI’s priority.

This waiver will allow SFSP sponsors to feel empowered as they serve meals to their community in high-need areas, knowing they have an option to claim meals taken off-site while keeping staff and participants safe, should a safety event occur.

Questions? Please email the Summer Meals team inbox.

Contact Information

Summer Food Service Program

866-328-6325
TTY:
360-664-3631

Good nutrition is essential for effective learning every day, all year long. Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. Summer meal programs help children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months.

Summer sponsors receive payments for serving healthy meals and snacks to children 18 years of age and younger. Meal sites must be located in lower-income areas and must be approved to operate by the state agency. An overview of the program is provided in the Summer Food Service Program Reference Sheet. 

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that participate in the National School Lunch Program may choose to operate the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) instead of the SFSP. Refer to the Comparison of Programs to help you determine the best program for your LEA.

Administering the SFSP

Program Operations

  • Food Service Management Companies (FSMC)- Program sponsors may contract with a commercial enterprise or nonprofit organization that manages any aspect of the organization’s food service program.
  • Menu Planning and Meal Patterns -Discover the components of the nutritious, well-balanced, and age-appropriate meals served.
  • Purchasing/ Procurement for Federal Programs - Sponsors are reimbursed through OSPI with funds from the USDA. Receiving public funds means sponsors are responsible to follow ethical business and purchasing practices set by USDA regulations.
  • Required Program Training- All sponsors must meet minimum training requirements. 

Elevate Your Program

Camps and Closed Sites

Residential or day camps providing regular meal service to enrolled children throughout the day may operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Camp sites are required to collect household income applications to establish eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. 

 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.