On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Act) (P.L. 117-328). The Act included significant policy changes for Child Nutrition Programs, including the authorization of a permanent, non-congregate meal service through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for rural areas with no congregate meal service and established the permanent Summer EBT Program beginning in summer 2024. The Summer EBT and Rural Non-congregate Summer Meals Option Interim Final Rule (IFR) was published on December 29, 2023. This interim final rule amends the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO) regulations to codify the flexibility for rural program operators to provide non-congregate meal service in the SFSP and SSO, collectively referred to as the summer meal programs. This rule also establishes regulations and codifies the Summer EBT Program in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Rural Non-Congregate Meals in the SFSP - Updated 10/24
Interested in Providing Rural Non-Congregate Meals this Coming Summer?
- Listen to the 2025 Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service Webinar. Be sure to complete the certificate at the end of the training.
- Send us an email at sfsp@dpi.wi.gov to discuss your plans and/or ask questions prior to applying.
- Complete the SFSP Application. The 2025 SFSP application opens for updates on March 3rd, 2025. All Rural Non-Congregate Site details and integrity plans are now part of the SFSP application. Further instructions will be provided soon.
Resources
Rural Non-Congregate Application Checklist - Use this checklist to assist in planning and preparation to add Rural Non-Congregate site(s) to the online application. Refer to the SFSP Application Manual for detailed instructions.
Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3, USDA Policy Memo SFSP 03-2025, SP 08-2025
Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers; USDA Policy Memo SFSP 07-2024, SP 13-2024
Rural Non-Congregate Site Monitoring Form 1/24
Rural Non-Congregate Multiple Meal Distribution Form - Revised 2/25. Use this meal count form when providing multiple days' worth of meals at one time.
Sample Menu, Meal Storage, & Preparation Instructions - New 2/25. Sponsors are required to provide households with the planned menu, including portion information, meal storage and preparation instructions.
- Use this sample to create your own document to share with households.
- Be sure to update to include specific heating instructions for the menu items provided.
- May be distributed electronically when households sign up for meals. If doing so, have paper copies available at the time of pick-up for anyone that needs one.