Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Feeding Pilot Program

Programs > Summer Meal Programs > Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Feeding Pilot Program

Eligibility and Implementation

RESOURCES

TDA is using the discretion provided to States in the Appropriations Act and subsequent guidance from USDA to create a Non-Congregate Feeding Pilot Program for Summer 2023 in rural areas where no congregate service currently exists. Use the resources at right to determine eligibility and get answers to questions about the pilot program.

Background

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 was signed into law and included significant policy changes for Child Nutrition programming, including the authorization of a permanent, non-congregate meal service through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for rural areas with no congregate meal service.

In advance of federal regulation changes at the end of 2024, TDA is using the discretion provided to States in the Appropriations Act and subsequent guidance from USDA to create a Non-Congregate Feeding Pilot Program for Summer 2023 in rural areas where no congregate service is currently. This pilot program will allow a limited number of Contracting Entities to provide non-congregate service in Summer 2023, which will in turn allow TDA to gather data on non-congregate feeding that USDA will use to develop new regulation. The infrastructure and lessons learned from this pilot will give TDA the knowledge to implement a permanent program in Summer 2024 and beyond.

Note that the requirements for implementing non-congregate meal service in Summer 2023 are subject to change in Summer 2024 and beyond once the new regulatory requirements are published.

CEs approved to operate non-congregate service in Summer 2023 must abide by the instructions provided in these FAQs and all other standard program regulations not specified on this page.

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL* (877-839-6325) for help.*
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