Summer Food Service Program for Children (10.559)

Program

10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Food and Nutrition Service

Authorization

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Sections 9, 13 and 14, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1761 and 1762a.

Program Number

10.559

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

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

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 an area school is closed because of an emergency situation. Sponsors operating food programs for children on school vacation under a continuous year-round calendar may apply for participation in other months. 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 administrative expenses related to program staffing and oversight.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The State or U.S. Territory agency applies for and signs an agreement to receive Federal funds for disbursement. Where the State does not currently 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 as a sponsor in the program. Sponsors include public or private nonprofit school food authorities; 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. Sponsors which develop food service programs for children during school vacations under a continuous school calendar may also participate. Public or private nonprofit residential or nonresidential 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). OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Service institutions may apply directly to the responsible State agency. 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 Parts 3016 and 3019).

Award Procedure

When an application is approved, the sponsor enters into an agreement with the administering agency.

Deadlines

Feb 15, 2009 A State Management Administration Plan is annually due on February 15. States establish the deadline date for acceptance of sponsor applications.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not applicable to States. The administering agency must make a decision within 30 calendar days of receiving a complete and correct sponsor application. If an incorrect application is received, the State agency must 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 institution grievances.

Renewals

Annually.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula:

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

This program does not have MOE 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.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

For the period covered by the agreement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Sponsors file monthly reports on program operations to claim reimbursement for meals served. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in OMB Circular 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 all audit issues.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3539-0-1-605.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 $312,203,000; FY 09 est $357,984,000; FY 10 est $377,752,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

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.

Related Programs

10.553 School Breakfast Program; 10.555 National School Lunch Program; 10.556 Special Milk Program for Children; 10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Cynthia Long 3101 Park Center Drive Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Phone: 703-305-2590

Web Site Address

http://fns.usda.gov/cnd

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.