Public Notification: Summer Food Service Program Waiver Requests

Published on Monday, August 17, 2020

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting several extension requests for relief from previously waived requirements of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during unexpected school closures due to COVID-19.

• SFSP - Area Eligibility – This waiver would allow currently approved sites to continue operating under the SFSP without meeting current area eligibility definitions until the time that the 20-21 school year officially begins.
• SFSP – Non-Congregate Feeding – This waiver would allow currently approved Sponsors to continue to serve meals in a non-congregate setting (“grab n’ go”) under the SFSP until the time that the 20-21 school year officially begins.
• SFSP – Parent Pick-Up – This waiver would allow currently approved Sponsors to continue to allow parents or guardians to continue to pick up SFSP meals on behalf of children at eligible sites until the time that the 20-21 school year officially beings.

The goal of these waivers is to lessen the impact that COVID-19 has on our community. If granted these waivers will give children across the state continued access the nutritious meals that they would normally receive during a school day.



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) 222-8936.