Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Updates –March 2021
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section by clicking the link.
Information provided in this bulletin reflects what we know at this time. With the evolving COVID-19 situation, information may change and we will provide updates in the bulletin.
General questions can be submitted through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Customer Service Form.
Back to top
This week’s Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Nutrition Program Bulletin will relate information about the newly released waiver extensions. Read this information carefully as some of the waiver extensions do not apply to SFSP and some require application to MDE for approval to participate. More details and guidance will follow in upcoming bulletins.
Back to top
The 2021 (calendar year) summer food program applications will rollover by the beginning of April in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). Watch for future Nutrition Bulletin announcements regarding the Program Year 2022 application procedure.
Back to top
With a record high number of meal sites open in the seven-county metro area, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is focused on identifying unserved areas in need of meal sites in Greater Minnesota. If a sponsor is already operating in that area, individual sites are encouraged to partner with the existing sponsor to provide meals. Rural communities and areas where migrant families reside are especially encouraged to apply.
-
Organizations that apply to become a new Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor may begin operations after the school year ends.
-
Check out the Summer Food Service Program Fact Sheet for some basic information.
Back to top
A site is considered summer school if the academic summer programs are funded by state education revenue. Some examples of summer school programs include, but are not limited to: targeted services, alternative learning programs, or programs offered for students to earn credits.
Summer school programs that participate in SFSP must operate under the classification of an open site:
-
Open site means that the site must allow meal service to all children in the surrounding community; meal service cannot be limited to attending summer school students.
-
Restricted open site means participation to children is limited to a particular capacity on a first-come, first-serve basis. The limitation may pertain only to reasons for security, safety, or control.
-
Meals cannot be restricted to just the summer school students because SFSP for open or open restricted sites are promoted to the community.
Schools offering summer school that do not wish to operate as open sites, or are not located in an eligible area, may continue to claim summer school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Meals served under NSLP must be claimed under the free, reduced-price, and full-paid categories, as they are during the school year.
Back to top
SFSP training will be offered online, so sponsors and staff can access the modules at any time. The following courses are now available and can be accessed from the SFSP Training webpage.
-
Civil Rights (45 minutes)
-
Planning and Administering the SFSP 2021 (also known as MDE – 100) includes 19 interactive courses, each about 10-15 minutes long.
-
SFSP Annual Refresher Training 2021 (also known as MDE – 170) includes three short courses, one of which is a shortened version of the Civil Rights course. (one hour)
- Menu Building Basics – Utilizing Child Nutrition (CN) Labels and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Recipes to Build a Cycle Menu (one hour)
-
SFSP Meal Planning for Summer Success! (one hour)
Back to top
Current Year (Ending April 30) SFSP Program Monitoring includes:
-
SFSP Site Review: Sponsor Site Review Form must be completed for each/all sites during current program operation ending April 30, 2021.
New Program Year (Beginning May 1) Monitoring includes:
-
First Week Visit: Sponsor Site Visit form must be completed during the first week of operation for each new Summer Food Service Program site or any sites having operational deficiencies in the past year.
- SFSP Site Review: Sponsor Site Review form must be completed for each/all sites at some point during program operations before the closing date for each site during the summer.
Back to top
View the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Reimbursement Rates 2021 on the Summer Food Service Program Claims and Reimbursement webpage.
Back to top
Back to top
Community Organizations: Success with SFSP Applications Webinar
Join us on Wednesday, April 7, at 2 p.m., for an overview of how to complete the Summer Food Service Program application. This session will focus on community-based nutrition program participants (non-schools) and cover the Program Year 2022 Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition (CLiCS) application process and allow time for questions. Register for the webinar Community Organizations: Success with SFSP Applications.
Schools: SFSP for Program Year 2022 Tuesdays @ 2 Webinar
Join us for the SFSP for Program Year 2022 webinar on Tuesday, April 13, at 2 p.m., to learn about the SFSP and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) programs and application process for program year 2022. Read session descriptions and register for Tuesdays @ 2 webinars.
Back to top
We encourage schools and community organizations to share information about locations of open sites.
-
Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
-
Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
-
Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Central Time.
-
Text "Food" to 877-877. Spanish speakers, text "comida" to 877-877.
Back to top
Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | FNS Bulletin Archive | FNS Website
|
