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Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service

Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service Logo

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?

  1. Listen to the 2025 Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service Webinar. Be sure to complete the certificate at the end of the training.
  2. Send us an email at sfsp@dpi.wi.gov to discuss your plans and/or ask questions prior to applying.
  3. 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 Designation Map 

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 Multiple Meal Counting Form For use when more than one meal is distributed at a time.

Rural Non-Congregate Site Monitoring Form New 1/24