Summer Food Service Program
Public Notice: SFSP Excessive Heat Waiver Request
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has requested a waiver from the requirements in 42 USC 1761(a)(1)(D), and 7 CFR 225.6(i)(15) to allow SFSP sponsors in good standing, that normally operate outdoor meal services at sites without a temperature-controlled alternative, to provide a non-congregate meal service on days when the area experiences excessive heat as defined by the National Weather Service as a Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning.
This waiver has not been approved at this time. Further guidance will be made available upon approval.
Waiver Now Available for Non-School Food Authority Summer Food Service Program Sponsors to Implement Offer versus Serve
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has received State-level waiver authority from the United States Department of Agriculture for non-school food authority Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors to utilize Offer versus Serve (OVS) during the 2023 SFSP. OVS allows children to decline some of the foods offered in a reimbursable breakfast, lunch, or supper.
SFSP Kick-Off Events
Please notify SED if you are planning any Kick-off events for 2023 SFSP.
Summer Food Service Program Kick-Off Events
No Kid Hungry New York Summer Meals Grant Opportunity
No Kid Hungry New York Summer Meals Grant Opportunity: This summer, No Kid Hungry New York is supporting school districts and community-based organizations operating the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and implementing non-congregate meal programs in rural areas. Grant awards will average between $10,000 - $20,000, and exact amounts will vary depending on program need.
Questions and Answers #2: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas
This memorandum is the second set of questions and answers on the rural non-congregate summer meals option established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Act) (P.L. 117-328). The Act authorized permanent, non-congregate meal service through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for rural areas with no congregate meal service.
Public Notice: NYSED Seeks Waivers for 2023 SFSP
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has requested a waiver from the requirements in 42 USC 1761(f)(7), and 7 CFR 225.16(f)(1)(ii) to allow non-school food authority sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program to implement Offer versus Serve meals.
NYSED has a requested separate waiver from the requirements in 7 CFR 225.7(e)(4)(v) to adjust NYSED monitoring in order to provide additional technical assistance and monitoring at meal locations to ensure regulatory compliance and efficient operations.
Comments from the Listening Sessions for the CNP: Revision to Meal Patterns Proposed Rule
The New York State Education Department (SED), Office of Child Nutrition Program Administration hosted two listening sessions on March 9th and 16th of 2023 to hear from New York State school food professionals on the potential impact of the “Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guideline for Americans” federal proposed rule.
2023 Summer Food Service Program Trainings
- 2023 Summer Food Service Program Updates Webinar for Experienced Sponsors
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Passcode: Krs7.c90
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2023 Summer Food Service Program Potential Sponsor Webinar Part 1
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Passcode: zLc*Vr4U
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Racial and Ethnic Data Collection for the SFSP
Beginning in the 2023 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), program sponsors are no longer allowed to use visual observation to obtain participant race and ethnicity data and are required to collect this data using an alternative method. The following guidance is provided to aid program sponsors in capturing this data.
Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas - Revised
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. (1) This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. (2) This memorandum applies to State agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.