What is the Summer Food Service Program?The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program to assist public and private nonprofit organizations in serving free, nutritious meals to children and teens during the summer months.Why is the Program important?More than 400,000 Maryland children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, but they may not have access to nutritious meals during the summer when schools are closed. The SFSP provides healthful meals and plays a vital role in reducing childhood hunger when schools are not in session.How does the Program work?The SFSP provides reimbursement to organizations for meals and snacks served to children in areas where at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or when 50 percent of the children enrolled in a program qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Most organizations may be reimbursed for up to two meals or snacks per child per day. Camps, migrant programs, and some other sites may be reimbursed for up to three meals per child each day. Meals and snacks must meet federal meal pattern requirements.The Program is available to children and teens age 18 and under as well as individuals 19 years of age and over who have a mental or physical disability and participate during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program.
The Summer Food Service Program is administered on a Federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. USDA and MSDE are equal opportunity providers.
Email: scnp@marylandpublicschools.org