Summer Food Service Program Application Deadlines

This management bulletin (MB) notifies Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors and prospective sponsors of changes to annual update and new applicant requirements.

Background

Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 225.6(b)(1) requires that all SFSP applications (including annual updates) be submitted by June 15 of each program year, but also gives the California Department of Education (CDE) the authority to set an earlier deadline.

Application Submission Deadlines

Effective October 1, 2019, the CDE will require that all new SFSP applicants and returning sponsors submit complete and correct SFSP application packets through the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) no later than 30 calendar days prior to the first SFSP meal service day, or May 15, whichever comes first. These deadlines do not apply to sponsors applying to serve in areas impacted by an unanticipated school closure during the period from October through April (or at any time of the year in an area with a continuous school calendar).

The addition of new sites to the application packet after initial approval constitutes a substantive change to the packet, as new sites impact many other components of the packet, including, but not limited to, the budget, management plan, health department letter, media release, and vendor contracts. Therefore, all site applications added after the initial approval of the application packet, and the changes related to the additions, should be submitted completely and correctly no later than 30 calendar days prior to the first SFSP meal service day of the new site(s).

Failure to meet the appropriate deadline will result in denial of the CNIPS SFSP application packet.

If you have any questions regarding this MB, please contact the Summer Meals Unit by phone at 800-952-5609 or by email at SFSP@cde.ca.gov to be directed to your Summer Meal Programs Specialist.