Making the Most of a Moment: Non-congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

In approved states beginning summer 2023, non-congregate meal service, where meals are served to-go, will be allowed in rural areas without access to a congregate meal site through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO). This is a HUGE opportunity to better serve children and families over the summer.

This webinar will review USDA’s implementation guidance for non-congregate meal service in rural areas and will provide key questions to ask your state agency when considering a non-congregate site this summer. You will hear from three providers who will share their experience operating non-congregate meals and their hopes to take those learnings into summer 2023 and beyond.

Speakers include Donna Martin, Director of School Nutrition Programs at Burke County School District; Kara Moore, Director of Child Hunger Programs at Lowcountry Food Bank; and Jamie Breidenbach, Program Manger at Missoula Food Bank & Community Center.

Note: Please reach out to your state agency to confirm the availability of non-congregate meal service and allowable models. States are not required to make the non-congregate option available this summer. State agencies must have submitted a plan to USDA for approval by April 1, 2023 to allow non-congregate meal service in summer 2023.