• In Texas, more than 1 in 5 children struggle with hunger.
• When the school year ends, children often lose access to consistent, nutritious school meals.
• The Summer Meals Program ensures more Texas children have enough food for an active, healthy life.

Download the Quick Reference for SFSP for more information!

For more information, parents should visit SummerFood.org.
 

Participating families do not have to apply register or provide identification. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the Summer Meals Program – including the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the Summer Meals Program in Texas.

New CACFP/SFSP Applicant Review Process
Step 1 Eligibility (typical time of completion: 7 to 10 days)
1. Complete the Intake Form located on www.Squaremeals.org.
2. Intake Form is received by TDA. 
3. TDA conducts the eligibility check on the organization and the contact individual within five  (5) business days (excluding TDA and federal holidays. 
The organization eligibility check comprises:
 

• Verification of standing with the Secretary of State (SOS) *If organization is required to be registered with the SOS.
• Verification of standing with the State Comptroller’s Office
• Verification of standing with IRS *If organization is a non-profit organization with a 501c3 tax exempt status.
• That the organization does not appear on the National Disqualification List (NDL).
• That the organization does not appear on the Texas Excluded List (TEXSL).
• That the organization does not have any ongoing adverse actions with TDA.

The contact individual eligibility check comprises:

• Background check to ensure individual has not been convicted of any financial integrity crimes within the last seven years.
• That the individual does not appear on the National Disqualification List (NDL).
• That the individual does not appear on the Texas Excluded List (TEXSL)
• That the individual does not have any ongoing adverse actions with TDA. 

Step 2 Viability (typical time of completion: 30 to 45 days)
1. Upon a successful Eligibility check, the organization is sent a link to complete the Financial Viability form. The form will comprise a Financial Viability checklist and provide the opportunity to upload the required financial documentation.
 

• To demonstrate financial viability and financial management, the CE must document it has adequate financial resources to operate the Program daily, has adequate sources of funds to continue to pay employees and suppliers during possible periods of temporary interruptions in Program payments, and/or can pay debts when fiscal claims have been assessed against it. 
• The financial viability review is conducted to ensure that an organization has an adequate financial position by assessing the organization’s financial documentation. An organization’s financial position must demonstrate that it can cover using non-Program funds the expense of temporary interruptions in Program payments for a minimum of three months for CACFP and/or one month for SFSP.

Only funds that come from non-Food program sources will be considered for the Financial Viability Review. 

Organizations MUST provide a minimum of ONE YEAR of bank statements that illustrate business operations. 

2. Once the organization has been determined to be financially viable, it must complete the required CACFP Training located on www.Squaremeals.org. 
 

• Proof of training completion shall be emailed to FinancialViabilityReview@texasagriculture.gov.
• Upon receipt, TDA will respond with a Form FND-135. The form is to request access to the online application system, TX-UNPS.
• Upon receipt of the completed FND-135, the Contracting Entity Profile will be created in the online application system. Once the form is processed by TDA, the applicant will receive login credentials to access TX-UNPS. 

Step 3 Capability and Accountability (typical time of completion: 45 to 90 days)
This phase of the review comprises the online application review in TX-UNPS. The review is conducted in two phases:
 

• First, the application will be reviewed for completeness. Once the application is submitted to TDA, it will be assessed to determine that all information is complete and all required supporting documentation has been submitted. Any missing items noted will require the application to be returned to request the missing items. 
• Once it is determined the application is complete, the second phase will be the review for accuracy. At the time the application is determined complete, a determination of approval or denial must be made within 30 calendar days. If during this time, that the review is still ongoing during this 30-day period, the application may be withdrawn. However, the review may resume upon request of the applicant. Once the application has been determined both complete and correct, the final phase of the review will be conducted. 

Step 4 Visit Prior to Approval (VPA) (typical time of completion: 10 to 14 days)
The Program Eligibility Support (PES) group, commonly known as the applications group, will conduct the first three steps of the review. Once those steps have been successfully completed, PES will reassign the application to the Community Operations (ComOps) group. ComOps will conduct an onsite review to determine that all VCA requirements reviewed during the application phase are accurate and that the applicant is VCA compliant to operate the program. Upon completion of this phase of the review, the final approval of the application will take place.