Applications Now Accepted for Summer Meals Program

Published on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is now accepting applications for organizations interested in participating in the 2021 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for children. The program, financed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, provides free meals to children from targeted communities and is designed to maintain and expand nonprofit food programs for children during the summer months.



Although the Summer Food Service Program is generally designed to provide increased food access to children and youth during the summer when school is not in session, many communities have taken advantage of current program flexibilities, which are available due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program flexibilities, which include allowing the use of the SFSP during the regular school year, a waiver of traditional eligibility requirements, allowing non-congregate feeding, allowing for parent pick-up of meals and several other regulatory waivers, have been approved for use through 6/30/2021. It is not certain yet at this point what, if any, flexibilities may be available for the traditional summer season starting in July of 2021.



To participate in the summer program, sponsors must be public or private nonprofit school food authorities, organizations, residential summer camps, nonresidential day camps, or units of local or state governments. To be approved, a site must serve an area with at least 50 percent of the children eligible for free or reduced-price meals or qualify as a residential camp or a nonresidential day camp. Meals must be made available to all children enrolled in the program without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age.



For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, at (401) 222-4253. Applications for participation during the 2021 summer season must be completed and approved prior to June 15, 2021; interested organizations should reach out to RIDE no later than May 1, 2021 to start the application process.



USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.



Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.



To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:



(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;



(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or



(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.



This institution is an equal opportunity provider.



Further, the Rhode Island Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, color, religion, national origin or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination with the State of Rhode Island, write to the Rhode Island Department of Education, Director, Office of Equity and Access, 255 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 or call (401) 222-8979.