The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for children was created by Congress in 1968. It is a program designed to provide funds for eligible sponsoring organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session. All children, whether enrolled in a summer program or not, can eat free under the SFSP guidelines.

Some children who live close to an approved site may walk to that site each day to receive free meals. No paperwork or income documentation is required from the children. Eligibility is based on the meal site in one of two ways. “Open sites” are located in areas where at least 50 percent or more of the children have families with incomes that fall below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. This is determined by the school’s Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application records.

The program is fully funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The School District of Palm Beach County has been participating in the SFSP since 1999. To qualify, a school must have at least 50 percent of their student population eligible for Free or Reduced Price meals during the previous school year and is planning a student activity on school grounds such as: camps, Boys and Girls Club meeting on campus, etc.

During the 2013 summer months, The School District of Palm Beach County opened 95 sites to offer the Summer Food Service Program. Collectively we served 7,811 breakfasts and 9,928 lunches per day. The nutrition standards and requirements for the SFSP are the same as for the regular National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Throughout Palm Beach County there are 5 other Summer Food Service sponsors. These sponsors opened 100 sites and served 2,594 breakfasts, 4,681 lunches and 2,080 snacks/supper per day.