SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE FREE SUMMER MEALS

The basic requirements to receive sponsored meals from GNSI:

Site must have safe location for children to congregate and enjoy meal service in a pleasant environment
Site must record and submit the number of meals served to children daily
Site must maintain health and sanitation requirements
Follow all policies and procedures set forth by GNSI, Bright from the Start, and USDA
Promote the safety and well-being of the children in your care

Quick Links:

To submit application for GNSI sponsorship, click here.
To visit Bright from the Start: Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), click here.
To view and download forms for CACFP, click here.
To request a contact from one of GNSI specialists, click here.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offers many benefits to the community, children and parents. By participating in the SFSP under GNSI sponsorship you will:

Receive free meals to serve in your community (breakfast and/or lunch/dinner)
Assure parents their children are receiving well-balanced nutritious meals during summer months
Develop healthy eating habits for your children that will last a life-time
Partner with a reliable, knowledgeable, friendly and proactive sponsor that will guide you through all requirements of SFSP
Have access to easy, efficient, and real-time online claim processing software at no cost to you
Be at leader at the forefront for a healthy Georgia for generations to come

HOW TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY FOR REIMBURSEMENT

Below is a list of recordkeeping that must be maintained by centers claiming reimbursement with GNSI

Record keeping requirements to receive free meals for the SFSP are:

Daily Point of Service Meal Count

Daily Delivery Receipt

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Summer Food Program?

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that is designed to ensure children and disabled adults in underserved communities are fed nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session.

How do I know if my site is eligible?

SFSP sites eligiblity is based on the demographic of the location. Typically, a site is eligible if the physical location of meals served is considered underserved. An underserved area is one in which a child living at the physical address would attend a school where at least 50% of the enrollment would receive Free or Reduced priced lunch meals, subsidized by USDA.

What types of meals can I receive?

Sites participating under sponsorship of Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc. (GNSI) will received a mixture of hot and cold meals. Typically, our partners will receive 3 days of hot meals and 2 days of cold meals (if operating a normal 5 day week). Hot meals only apply to lunch meals. Breakfast meals will consist of cold or shelf stable items.

Which meals can I request?

GNSI generally serves breakfast and lunch to SFSP sites. Dinner meals are available as well, but cannot be combined with a lunch meal. For example, a site may elect to receive a breakfast meal and lunch meal, or a breakfast meal and a dinner meal, but not allowed to receive a lunch meal and dinner meal.