Summer Food Service Program Facts
Topics: Delaware, Poverty and Equality, Camp Organizations and Programs, Child Care
What is the Summer Food Service Program?
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and locally by the Delaware Department of Education. Sponsoring organizations receive reimbursement for meals served to children 18 years of age and younger from low-income areas. Meals may be served anytime when schools are closed.
Why Serve Summer Meals?
Just as learning doesn't end when school lets out, neither does a child's need for good nutrition. The Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grown throughout the summer.
Who Can Participate?
- Sponsors - Units of local government, camps, schools, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to operate a Summer Food Service Program as sponsors.
- Children - Children 18 and under may receive free meals and snacks through the SFSP. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically handicapped.
What are Commodities?
- Commodities are government entitlement foods made available to organizations that participate in School and Community Nutrition Programs. These foods are offered to sponsoring organizations at a fraction of their market value.
- Bonus Commodities - Are usually surplus agricultural stocks that vary in their availability. Sponsors eligible for commodities may select as many bonus commodities as they can use during the summer.
Meal Pattern Requirements
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Breakfast Meal Pattern |
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Select All Three Components for a Reimbursable Meal |
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1 milk |
1 cup |
fluid milk |
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1 fruit/vegetable |
1/2 cup |
juice (1), and/or vegetable |
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1 grains/bread (2) |
1 slice |
bread or |
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1 serving |
cornbread or biscuit or roll or muffin or |
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3/4 cup |
cold dry cereal or |
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1/2 cup |
hot cooked cereal or |
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1/2 cup |
pasta or noodles or grains |
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Select All Four Components for a Reimbursable Meal |
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1 milk |
1 cup |
fluid milk |
|
2 fruits/vegetables |
3/4 cup |
juice (1), fruit and/or vegetable |
|
1 grains/bread (2) |
1 slice |
bread or |
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1 serving |
cornbread or biscuit or roll or muffin or |
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3/4 cup |
cold dry cereal or |
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1/2 cup |
hot cooked cereal or |
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1/2 cup |
pasta or noodles or grains |
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1 meat/meat alternate |
2 oz. |
lean meat or poultry or fish (3) or |
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2 oz. |
alternate protein product or |
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2 oz. |
cheese or |
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1 large |
egg or |
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1/2 cup |
cooked dry beans or peas or |
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4 Tbsp. |
peanut or other nut or seed butter or |
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1 oz. |
nuts and/or seeds (4) or |
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8 oz. |
yogurt (4) |
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Select Two of the Four Components for a Reimbursable Snack |
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|
1 milk |
1 cup |
fluid milk |
|
1 fruit/vegetable |
3/4 cup |
juice (1), fruit and/or vegetable |
|
1 grains/bread (2) |
1 slice |
bread or |
|
1 serving |
cornbread or biscuit or roll or muffin or |
|
|
3/4 cup |
cold dry cereal or |
|
|
1/2 cup |
hot cooked cereal or |
|
|
1/2 cup |
pasta or noodles or grains |
|
|
1 meat/meat alternate |
1 oz. |
lean meat or poultry or fish (3) or |
|
1 oz. |
alternate protein product or |
|
|
1 oz. |
cheese or |
|
|
1/2 large |
egg or |
|
|
1/4 cup |
cooked dry beans or peas or |
|
|
2 Tbsp. |
peanut or other nut or seed butter or |
|
|
1 oz. |
nuts and/or seeds or |
|
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4 oz. |
yogurt (4) |
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For More Information:
Call or write to the Delaware Department of Education, School and Community Nutrition Programs, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901; 302-735-4060.
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