Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps assure that eligible populations have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. When school is not in session, SFSP provides reimbursement to community agencies offering the required continuum of meals. Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and to income-eligible adults over 18 years of age who have been determined by a state educational agency to have a disability and who participate in a school-based program for the disabled during the school year. SFSP contracts with schools and other community-based organizations to sponsor the local programs and provide meals that meet established guidelines. By increasing the nutrient intake of program participants, SFSP reduces their risk for health problems and enhances their learning capacities. The program also improves the quality of the summer programs offered in areas of economic need.

The SFSP is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Additional Resources

Missouri Coronavirus GIS Hub

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FNS Response to COVID-19, Child Nutrition Program Waivers

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• Applications & Forms
• Find a SFSP site near you
• Food That’s In When School Is Out! (SFSP Informational Pamphlet)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Grant Opportunities
• Manuals
• Newsletter
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
• Online Application Instructions
• PDF
• Online Claiming Instructions
• Word | PDF
• Rates
• Resources
• Sponsor Directory
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
• Training
• 2021 SFSP Orientation Training Registration – via Live Webex
  2021 SFSP Sponsor Training Dates
  To register for SFSP Training, send an email to sfsp@health.mo.gov
• Online Civil Rights Training

• Summer Food Service Program Online Training
  The SFSP online training consists of four modules. Each individual module must be completed in one session. You may complete one module and return to complete other modules.

  All four modules must be completed to meet the annual training requirement for sponsors participating in the SFSP prior to program operations. It is recommended to complete the modules in order. Each module has a different focus and run time, ranging from 15-25 minutes. Please download or print the SFSP Manual under the Manuals heading above.

  • Module 1: Introduction to the Program, General Operation Guidelines, Sponsor and Site Eligibility (22 minutes)
  • Module 2: Sponsor and Site Applications, Training Requirements, Civil Rights Requirements (15 minutes)
  • Module 3: Meal Service Requirements, Meal Pattern Requirements, Processed Food Documentation, Offer Versus Serve Meal Planning (25 minutes)
  • Module 4: Recordkeeping, Program Costs, Sanitation, Program Monitoring (24 minutes)
• USDA Area Eligibility Mapper
• USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
• Web Log In Screen

To become a SFSP sponsor follow the instructions in the application packet under Forms.

PUBLIC NOTICE UPDATE:

On August 21, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued Question and Answer guidance regarding the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.  Based on this guidance, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance is requesting that USDA approve the state requested waiver to allow participating SFSP sponsoring organizations the option to serve meals in a non-congregate setting during unanticipated school closures related to a public health emergency during the 2020/2021 school year.  This waiver is requested to take affect after the current SFSP extension ends on December 31, 2020.

For more information regarding this requested waiver, please email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

On March 13, 2020, the president declared a National Emergency due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  The Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance (CFNA) was approved the following waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow flexibilities during this emergency.  The waivers in place are:

• To allow meal pattern flexibilities for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns during times of food shortages or availability issues. 
• To allow SFSP sites that do not meet the 50 percent or more free or reduced priced eligibility requirement to be approved as SFSP sites during times of emergency.
• To allow participating CACFP and SFSP sponsoring organizations the option to serve in a non-congregate setting during times of emergency declarations.

For more information regarding these requested waivers, please email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE

On March 6, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance regarding the application for state waivers to enable sponsors to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during school closures related to a public health emergency, such as the coronavirus.

In response to the guidance, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance received approval from USDA to allow participating SFSP sponsoring organizations the option to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during unanticipated school closures related to a public health emergency.