Summer Food Service Program

INTRODUCTION

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals, that meet Federal nutrition guidelines, are provided to all children at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children.

The SFSP operates during school vacations, primarily in the summer months – from May through September. It also may provide meals during vacation breaks where schools are operated on a year-round basis or a continuous school calendar, or during emergency school closures from October through April.

Who Administers the Program?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the SFSP at the national level. Within each State, the Program is administered by the State department of education, or in our case the PDE.

Important Note:

Sponsors may allow a child to take one (1) fruit, vegetable, or grain item offsite to eat later without prior State agency approval. The fruit, vegetable, or grain item taken offsite must be from the child’s own meal.