Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does SFSP work?

SFSP is funded by the USDA and administered by the State of Nevada, Department of Education, Office of Child Nutrition and School Health. Sponsors sign agreements with this State agency to run the program. SFSP reimburses approved sponsors for serving meals that meet Federal nutritional guidelines. Sponsors receive payments from the USDA, through the State agency, based on the number of meals they serve and their documented costs of running the program. All meals are served entirely free to eligible children.

2. What is a SFSP site?

A site is the physical location, approved by the State agency, where SFSP meals are served during a supervised time period. Meal service sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, recreations centers, playgrounds, parks, faith-based organizations, community centers, day camps, residential summer camps, housing projects, and migrant centers, or on Indian reservations.

3. How is it decided where to establish a SFSP site?

Eligibility depends upon the percentage of students who receive free or reduced price lunch and/or breakfast at an area school or on census data. An area in which at least half of the students at school are eligible for free or reduced price meals qualifies as an open site where all children, regardless of income, receive free meals. Other SFSP sites include camps (residential or day camp), Upward Bound programs, National Youth Sports Programs and migrant camps.

4. Who is eligible for free meals?

All children 18 years of age or younger who come to an approved open or enrolled site may receive meals. At camps, only those meals served to children who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals are reimbursed.

5. How are SFSP Meals prepared?

A sponsor may prepare its own meals or purchase meals through an agreement with an area school, caterer, or food service management company.