The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) is an option that allows sponsors to operate an open community meal site using the National School Lunch Program’s (NSLP) administrative and monitoring requirements. The purpose of the SSO is to assist traditional and year-round schools to make nutritious meals more accessible to children who are not in school.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) are eligible to apply for the SSO. Once approved, LEAs serve SSO meals free of charge to children, age 18 years and under following the same meal pattern as the NSLP and SBP.
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All schools or districts may participate in the SSO, without meeting traditional area eligibility requirements through June 30, 2022. The same NSLP and SBP rules apply for meal service. Meals served are reimbursed at the NSLP and/or SBP “free” rates. As of July 1, 2021, SSO meals will be reimbursed at the 2021 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) reimbursement rates.
The maximum number of meals that may be offered under the SSO is up to two meals, or one meal and one snack, per child, per day, in any combination except lunch and supper.