To
assist States, through grants-in-aid and other means, to conduct
nonprofit food service programs for low-income children during the
summer months and at other approved times, when schools are out
of session or are closed for vacation.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds
are made available for disbursement to eligible service institutions
(sponsors) which provide free meals to children in areas where at
least 50 percent of the children meet the income eligibility criteria
for free and reduced price lunches. Meals may be served to children
18 and younger, and to individuals over 18 who participate in State
approved school programs for persons with disabilities. The program
generally operates during the months of May through September at
site locations where regularly scheduled food services are provided
for children. Sites may also participate in the program from September
through May if the school is closed because of an emergency situation.
Service institutions operating food programs for children on school
vacation under a continuous year-round calendar may apply for participation
in other months. Disbursement to service institutions equals the
full cost of food service operations, not to exceed per meal reimbursement
rates. Reimbursement may be paid for one meal and one snack or two
meals per child each day. Camps and sites primarily serving children
of migrant workers may be approved to serve up to three reimbursable
meals each day. Meals must meet minimum requirements of the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funds are also paid to
participating State agencies for State administrative expenses related
to employing personnel, including travel and related expenses, and
to supervise and provide technical assistance to service institutions
operating the program.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: The State or U.S. Territory agency
applies for and signs an annual agreement to receive Federal funds
for disbursement. Where the State does not administer the program,
an applicant institution may sign an agreement and receive funds
directly from USDA.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: A service institution that conducts
a regularly scheduled program for children from areas in which
poor economic conditions exist is eligible to participate in the
program. Such institutions include public or private nonprofit
school food authorities; public or private nonprofit residential
summer camps; public or private nonprofit colleges or universities
operating the National Youth Sports Program during the months
of May to September; and units of local, municipal, county, or
State governments. Other private nonprofit organizations are eligible
to participate under certain conditions. Service institutions
which develop food service programs for children during school
vacations under a continuous school calendar may also participate.
Public or private nonprofit residential summer camps may also
participate; however, at camps, reimbursement will only be paid
for meals served to enrolled children who are individually determined
to be eligible for free and reduced price school meals under USDA
Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Credentials/Documentation:
The allowability of costs incurred by States in administering
the program will be determined in accordance with USDA Uniform
Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR Parts 3016 and 3019).
Pre-application
Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage
under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."
An applicant should consult the office or official designated as
the single point of contact in his or her State for more information
on the process required by the State.
Application
Procedure: Service institutions may apply
directly to the responsible State administering agency. In Michigan,
New York (Private nonprofit organizations only), and Virginia
where the State does not administer the program, the application
is directed to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service regional office.
This program is subject to the provisions of USDA's Uniform Federal
Assistance Regulations (7 CFR Part 3019).
Award
Procedure: When an application is approved,
the service institution (sponsor) enters into an agreement with
the appropriate administering agency for the duration of summer
program operations. If the institution is a school food authority
that operates another Child Nutrition Program (NSLP, CACFP, SMP,
or SBP) with the same administering agency, the institution should
have a single, permanent agreement.
Deadlines:
A State Management Administration Plan is due February 15. States
establish the deadline date for sponsor applications; however,
no applications can be accepted after June 15.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable
to States. States must render a decision within 30 calendar days
of receipt of a complete and correct application from a service
institution. If an incomplete application is received, the State
agency shall notify the applicant within 15 days and provide technical
assistance to complete the application.
Appeals:
The administering agency must have a hearing procedure for local
service institution grievances.
Renewals:
Annually.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Program funds are
earned by the States and institutions on a per meal reimbursement
basis with rates adjusted annually on January 1, to reflect changes
in the "Food Away from Home" series of the Consumer Price Index
for All Urban Consumers. This program has no maintenance of effort
(MOE) requirements.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: For the period
covered by the agreement.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Service institutions file monthly reports on program operations
to claim reimbursement for meals served.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133,
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations,"
State and Local Governments, and Non-profit organizations that
expend $300,000 or more under Federal awards within any fiscal
year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a
program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted
less frequently under conditions specified in A-133.
Records:
Service institutions must maintain full and accurate records of
program operations for a period of 3 years after the end of the
fiscal year to which they pertain. However, where there are unresolved
audit findings, records must be retained until there is satisfactory
resolution of the audit issues.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 12-3539-0-1-605.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $283,690,449; FY 02 est $299,959,000; and FY 03
est $325,341,000. (Donated commodities including bonus commodities)
FY 01 $1,367,000; FY 02 est $1,457,000; and FY 03 est $1,539,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
State grants vary according to participation in the program. In
2001, States received cash assistance ranging from $70,875
to $42,469,290.
In fiscal year 2001, over 130.6 million meals were served.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
7 CFR Part 225 regulations and the Summer Food Service Program fact
sheet, are available at no charge. Administrative and nutrition
guidance is available at no charge to program participants from
the administering agency.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters
Office: Director, Child Nutrition Division,
Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture,
Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Stanley C. Garnett, Director. Telephone:
(703) 305-2590.
