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
Emergency Meal Sites For Children Does not work with Internet Explorer.
FNS Response to COVID-19, Child Nutrition Program Waivers
- Applications & Forms
- Find an SFSP site near you
- Food That’s In When School Is Out! (SFSP Informational Pamphlet)
- Food Service Management Contracts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Grant Opportunities
- Manuals
- Newsletter
- Online Application Instructions
- Online Claiming Instructions
- Rates
- Resources
- Sponsor Directory
- Training
- Online Civil Rights Training
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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
On May 17, 2022 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided State Agencies the opportunity to submit a waiver request to allow non-congregate meal service at certain outdoor summer meal sites experiencing excessive heat as determined by the National Weather Service. 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 the summer meal sponsors that operate outdoor meal service at sites without a temperature-controlled alternative to provide a non-congregate meal service on days when the area experiences excessive heat or other exceptional circumstances – with state approval per excessive heat day. This waiver is requested to be effective for SFSP program year 2022; May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022.
For more information regarding requested waivers, please email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.
PUBLIC NOTICE
In response to the expiration of all Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Nationwide Waivers, Department of Health and Senior Services-Community Food and Nutrition Assistance (DHSS-CFNA) is requesting that United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approve the following state requested waivers for Summer 2022:
- 1st Week Site Review Waiver – to allow sponsors to request that the state waive the 1st week site review for their sites.
- Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites Waiver – to allow sponsors to utilize area eligibility at these sites, if applicable.
- Meal Service Time Restrictions Waiver – to allow sponsors to have meal time flexibility, but still require thirty minutes between meal services.
- Offer vs Serve Waiver – to allow any sponsor to request the use of Offer vs Serve and to allow the sponsor to utilize the SFSP meal pattern for Offer vs. Serve.
Each sponsor would have to request the use of these waivers at the time of application. The waiver use may be approved or denied by the state with an examination of the site in question.
PUBLIC NOTICE
On January 27, 2022 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided State Agencies the opportunity to submit a waiver request for monitoring requirements for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for program year 2022. Based on this guidance, the Department of Health and Senior Services-Community Food and Nutrition Assistance is requesting that USDA approve the State requested waiver to allow the SFSP State Agency the option to conduct sponsor and site reviews virtually and to waive the requirement to conduct Food Service Management Company (FSMC) facility reviews. This waiver is requested to be effective for SFSP program year 2022; May 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022.
For more information regarding requested waivers, please email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.