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Options for Schools in the Summer

Kids still need good food, even when school is out. Now it’s easy to accommodate them! You can apply to operate one of the following:

National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

  • The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are available for any school that is hosting an academic summer school.
  • Schools serve meals only to enrolled students and follow the same rules and claiming procedures as a regular school year for free, reduced-price, and paid meals.

Seamless Summer Option

  • Schools participating in the NSLP or SBP are eligible to apply for the Seamless Summer Option.
  • The same NSLP and SBP rules apply for meal service. Meals served are reimbursed at the NSLP and/or SBP “free” rates which are slightly lower than the Summer Food Service Program rates.
  • Less paperwork, making it easier for schools to feed children during the traditional summer vacation periods and, for year-round schools, long school vacation periods.

SUN Meals (Summer Food Service Program)

  • The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP or SUN Meals) offers free meals and snacks to all kids 18 and under at schools, parks, and other eligible locations.
  • The state agency reimburses sponsors for meals served at approved sites in low-income areas.
  • Ideal if you sponsor enrichment, recreational, or activity programs over the summer.

SUN Meals To-Go (Non-Congregate SFSP)

  • The Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service option (SUN Meals To-Go) allows certain rural areas to distribute nutritious meals to kids outside of the typically required group (congregate) settings.

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

  • SUN Bucks or Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) Program is a new grocery benefit that offers families $120 per eligible child in the summer.
Page updated: May 06, 2024