Public Notification: Summer Food Service Program Waiver Requests

Published on Thursday, February 17, 2022

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for relief from previously waived requirements of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), regarding:

• Closed Enrolled Sites – This waiver would allow closed sites in area eligible communities to operate without collecting meal benefit eligibility.
• Meal Time Restrictions – This waiver would allow Sponsors who demonstrate operational need to serve meals closer together or for a longer period than the regulations currently permit.
• First Week Site Visits- This waiver would eliminate the requirement in which Sponsors must visit each of their sites at least once within the first week of operation.
• Offer Versus Serve- This waiver would allow School Food Authorities (SFAs) and non-School Food Authorities the ability to implement the SFSP Offer Versus Serve meal service option

If granted, these waivers will extend SFSP flexibilities and policies previously granted nationwide but that were rescinded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through a policy change. The goal of these waivers is to reinstate the rescinded flexibilities and policies to allow for efficient and cost effective program management and reduce administrative burden for sponsoring organizations and the Rhode Island Department of Education. If granted, the waivers will enable sponsors to provide continued broad access to free meals for Rhode Island’s children.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253 or (401) 222-8701.