USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has posted Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas. This guidance serves as the instructions for state agencies and program operators on how to implement Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) rural non-congregate meal service during summer 2023. Please note that FNS will issue additional guidance on oversight and monitoring specifically pertaining to non-congregate operations in a follow up memorandum. All standard requirements are still applicable unless otherwise specified.

FNS appreciates the exceptional efforts of all stakeholders working to meet the nutritional needs of children during the summer months. SFSP and SSO rely on innovative and collaborative efforts to provide summer meals to children in need and FNS looks forward to working with our program partners and other stakeholders to provide non-congregate meals to rural communities this summer.

We encourage you to forward this email to others in your network who may have an interest in this guidance.