An Opportunity for Schools

Kids still need good food, even when school is out. Now it’s easy to accommodate them! You can apply to operate the Seamless Summer Option through the National School Lunch (NSLP) or School Breakfast Programs (SBP). Continue the same meal service rules and claiming procedures used during the regular school year.  Although the traditional Summer Food Service Program is still available to schools, the Seamless Summer Option offers a streamlined approach to feeding hungry children in your community.

How it Works

School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the NSLP or SBP are eligible to apply for the Seamless Summer Option. Once approved through their governing state agency, SFAs serve meals free of charge to children, 18 years and under, from low-income areas.

The types of sites allowed to participate in this option include: 

• Open sites:  all children eat free in communities where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free/reduced price school meals.

• Restricted open sites:  sites that meet the open site criteria, explained above, but are later restricted for safety, control, or security reasons.

• Closed enrolled sites:  may be in any community for an enrolled group of low-income children and meets the 50% criteria explained above. This excludes academic summer schools.

• Migrant sites:  serving children of migrant families.

• Camps:  residential or non-residential camps.

The same NSLP and SBP rules apply for meal service. Meals served are reimbursed at the NSLP and/or SBP “free” rates. For clarification on how the Seamless Summer Option differs from our other summer feeding options, we've created a comparison chart.

Review the Seamless Summer Option Question and Answer Guidance or contact your NSLP State Agency for more information on how to apply for the Seamless Summer Option.