Summer Food Service Program Simplified

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced simplified procedures for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The new procedures streamline cost accounting requirements and monthly claiming procedures, making the program easier to administer.

“The implementation of the simplified program makes it much easier for Summer Food Service Program sponsors to provide a much needed service to the community,” said Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. “The program provides free meals and snacks to children 18 years and younger during the summer months and simplifying the process means more sponsors will step up. Having more sponsors means more children will have access to nutritious food throughout the summer.”

The SFSP allows participating schools and private nonprofit organizations to offer meals in low income areas during the summer when children do not have access to school meal programs.

Sponsors are needed for many underserved areas. Sponsors receive payments for both operational and administrative costs. In 2007, SFSP had 51 sponsors with 327 sites and those sites provided over 1 million meals.

While the number of sponsors in 2007 was up from 2006, MDE continues to seek qualified organizations to sponsor a Summer Food Service Program. A sponsoring organization must be a public or private nonprofit school; a public or private nonprofit residential summer camp; a unit of local, municipal, county or state government; a public or private nonprofit college or university; or other nonprofit organization.

Qualified sponsors receive federal payments for both the meals served to children and the costs incurred in serving the meals. New sponsors also receive training and technical assistance from MDE.

For more information about the simplified Summer Food Service Program or about offering the SFSP in your area, contact MDE Food and Nutrition Service, 651-582-8526, 800-366-8922 or email to fns@state.mn.us. Also, visit the MDE Website, www.education.state.mn.us.