2017 Edition of Questions and Answers - National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore

Food and Nutrition Service Policy memo consolidates recent National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) policy changes affecting implementation of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The memo explains how SSO streamlines summer meal operations by continuing NSLP/SBP meal patterns and claim procedures while requiring SFSP rules for other operational aspects such as site determination. It also provides guidance, reminders to distribute information, and attachment contents covering eligibility, monitoring, access, reimbursement, and reporting for FY 2017.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

General

State Agency Approval of SSO Participation

Site Eligibility

Periods of Operation

Meal Service

Local Level Monitoring

State Level Monitoring

Program Access

Reimbursement Rates

Reporting

Food and Nutrition Service Park Office Center 3101 Park Center Drive Alexandria VA 22302 DATE: December 1, 2016 MEMO CODE: SP 09-2017 SUBJECT: 2017 Edition of Questions and Answers for the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option TO: Regional Directors Special Nutrition Programs All Regions State Agencies Child Nutrition Programs All States This memorandum consolidates the recent policy changes in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) that affect the implementation of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) . This memorandum and its attachment supersede SP 37-2015, 2015 Edition of Questions and Answers for the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option, May 22, 2015. The SSO offers school food authorities (SFAs) operating the NSLP or SBP a streamlined option for providing summer meals by continuing to follow several of the same operational requirements, such as the NSLP/SBP meal patterns and procedures for filing claims and determining student eligibility. For other aspects of the summer meal operation, SFAs implementing the SSO must follow the SFSP requirements, such as site determination. SSO operators may generally use the toolkits and resources developed for the Summer Meal Programs, with the exception of those designated for SFSP use only. Guidance and clarification on all summer meal options available to schools is provided through SP 07-2013, SFSP 04-2013, Summer Feeding Options for School Food Authorities Revised, November 23, 2012, available at [http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SP07_SFSP04-2013.pdf](http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SP07_SFSP04-2013.pdf). Increasing access to USDA’s Summer Meal Programs, including the SSO and the SFSP, isan important priority for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) . FNS has developed resources for use by State agencies administering the Programs and for organizations participating in these Programs. Summer Meal Programs rely on innovative and collaborative efforts to provide summer meals to children in need. The “Summer Meals Toolkit” is designed for individuals and organizations interested in serving as summer meal champions in their communities at any level of program administration. It is a valuable resource for partner organizations on how they can best support and participate in the Summer Meal Programs. The toolkit includes information on meal service at open sites, partner collaborations, vendor relations, nutrition education resources and other best practices. This online resource is available at [http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer](http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer)meals-toolkit. State agencies are reminded to distribute this information to Program operators immediately. Program operators should direct any questions regarding this memorandum to the appropriate State agency. State agency contact information is available at [http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm](http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm. State)[. State](http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm. State) agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS Regional Office. Angela Kline Director Policy and Program Development Division Child Nutrition Programs Attachment Contents General __________________________________________________________________ 4 State Agency Approval of SSO Participation _____________________________________ 7 Site Eligibility _____________________________________________________________ 9 Periods of Operation _______________________________________________________ 12 Meal Service _____________________________________________________________ 14 Local Level Monitoring _____________________________________________________ 22 State Level Monitoring _____________________________________________________ 23 Program Access _________________________________________________

FAQs

What is the Seamless Summer Option (SSO)?

SSO allows school food authorities to provide free summer meals in low-income areas during traditional summer vacation periods, and during longer school vacation periods for year-round schools. It combines features of NSLP, SBP, and SFSP, and can be adjusted by the State agency for year-round school breaks under specific conditions.

Which organizations may participate in the SSO?

Only SFAs administering the NSLP or SBP may participate in the SSO. With State agency approval, SFAs may sponsor non-school feeding sites under the SSO.

Are States required to allow SFAs to operate under SSO?

Yes. SSO is an option for SFAs, and States cannot opt out of SSO.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore