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Applications

Whether you are new to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or a current SFSP sponsor looking to renew your program application, the information on this page will guide you through the process.
 
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is focused on identifying unserved areas of economic need in Greater Minnesota. If a sponsor is already operating in an area, especially in the larger communities and cities, individual sites are encouraged to partner with the existing sponsors to provide meals. Rural communities and areas where migrant families reside are especially encouraged to apply.
 
View the Child Nutrition Program Eligibility Map to determine where Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites are currently located. Select the Summer Meal Programs from the pop up box to populate school and census eligibility; then, enter an address in the text box at the top and select the search icon. Current or pending SFSP sites will appear on the map and the mapped address will be marked with a red dot. To obtain information about existing or pending sites, click on the ball marking the site location; additional details will be shown in a pop up box. Sites in a pink shaded or dotted area are area eligible for the SFSP.  
 
SFSP sites must meet specific eligibility requirements. View How to Determine Eligibility of Summer Food Service Program Sites. Each location where meals are served must be approved as a site in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). Any meals/snacks served prior to the date of the CLiCS site approval may not be claimed for reimbursement. 

Application Instructions

Application Instructions – New Applicants
Application Instructions – Renewing Applicants

SFSP Application Dates

New Applicants, schools and nonprofit organizations that did not participate in SFSP in the previous summer, but want to participate in the SFSP when school is out, must:

  • Complete online SFSP trainings MDE-178 and MDE-150. Applicants are also encouraged to view MDE-522 and MDE-523. Visit the SFSP Training webpage for details on SFSP training. Training is available in mid-March.
  • Nonprofit organizations: Complete the New Applicant Information Form no later than April 1. 
  • Submit a complete application by May 1. A complete application includes the completion of online training, and the submission of a sponsor and site application(s) in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). Some new applicants must also complete a management plan; refer to the application instructions for more details. 
  • MDE will not accept any additional site applications past June 15. Site ID requests must be submitted far enough in advance for the request to be processed, the application to be created, reviewed and approved by MDE.

Renewing Applicants, schools and nonprofit organizations that participated in SFSP in the previous summer must:

  • Complete online SFSP and Civil Rights training. Visit the SFSP Training webpage for details on SFSP training. 
  • Submit a complete application by May 15 or 15 days prior to the first day of operation, whichever is earlier. A complete application includes the submission of a sponsor and site application(s) in CLiCS. Applications will be available in CLiCS in April for the upcoming summer. Some renewing applicants must also complete a management plan; refer to the application instructions for more details.
  • MDE will not accept any additional site applications past June 15. Site ID requests must be submitted far enough in advance for the request to be processed, the application to be created, reviewed and approved by MDE.
 

 

Site Eligibility Forms and Information

General Application Information

  • Allowable Expenses and Required Documentation  - 7/9/18
    Describes expenses that can be paid using Summer Food Service Program reimbursement, and documentation required for those expenses.
  •  pdf iconPDF  - 10/16/23
    The steps and timelines that a Summer Food Service Program sponsor must follow to appeal an administrative action by MDE.
  • Budget Detail Worksheet — Summer Food Service Program  - 3/22/24
  • Health Department Notification  - 3/15/19
    The local health department must be notified in writing by the sponsor of all Summer Food Service Program site locations. This document contains a link to the Minnesota Department of Health web page with the sanitarian directory and a sample of the letter to be sent.
  • Management Plan Checklist - Summer Food Service Program  - 3/4/24
  • Management Plan for the Summer Food Service Program  - 2/15/24
  • Principal Identification   - 4/3/24
    Required form for Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program sponsors to report responsible principals in the organization and disclose relationships.
  • Rural Non-Congregate Site Integrity Plan  - 3/5/24
    This form is required to be completed and uploaded with each rural non-congregate site application.
  • SharePoint Online Access and Login  - 2/2/23
    Instructions to request access to SharePoint where sponsors can access the organization’s management plan.
  • - 4/8/24
    This information is for any organization interested in applying to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care and Summer Food Programs in Minnesota as a multi-site sponsoring organization.

Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) Forms and Information

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