Summer Food Service Program · SUN Meals
The Complete Guide to SFSP and SUN Meals: State Agencies, Sponsor Rules, and Meal Patterns
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) — branded nationally as SUN Meals — provides free, nutritious meals to children 18 and under during the summer months when the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are out of session. SFSP is federally funded by USDA Food and Nutrition Service and administered by a state agency in every state.
What SFSP covers
SFSP is authorized under 7 CFR 225. Eligible sponsors operate summer meal sites in areas where at least half of children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, or at closed enrolled sites, camps, and rural non-congregate locations.
- Open sites in area-eligible neighborhoods
- Closed enrolled sites and migrant sites
- Residential and non-residential camps
- Rural non-congregate summer meal service
- School food authorities running summer meals
SFSP meal pattern at a glance
Unlike CACFP, SFSP uses a single simple meal pattern for all children ages 1-18. At breakfast: 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup vegetable/fruit/juice, and 1 serving of grains or bread. At lunch or supper: 1 cup milk, 2 oz meat/meat alternate, 3/4 cup combined vegetables and fruit from two or more sources, and 1 serving of grains or bread. At snack: choose 2 of the 4 components (milk, vegetable/fruit, grain, or meat/meat alternate).
Source: 7 CFR 225.16 and USDA FNS SFSP meal pattern chart.
SFSP state agencies
SFSP state agencies vary by state — in some states SFSP is run by the department of education, in others by agriculture, health, or human services.
California SFSP
California Department of Education
Florida SFSP
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Georgia SFSP
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Illinois SFSP
Illinois State Board of Education
Michigan SFSP
Michigan Department of Education
New York SFSP
New York State Education Department
North Carolina SFSP
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Ohio SFSP
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Pennsylvania SFSP
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Texas SFSP
Texas Department of Agriculture
Plan SFSP menus for a short summer
Whether you're serving at an open site, a rural non-congregate site, or a camp, CrEATe helps you prepare SFSP menu drafts, review configured meal-pattern gaps, and organize production-record drafts. Confirm final requirements with your sponsor or state agency.