SUMMER FOOD SUPPORTS NEBRASKA FAMILIES

EMPTY CLASSROOMS SHOULD NOT MEAN EMPTY STOMACHS

When school is out for summer, many kids across Nebraska go without consistent meals. That’s why agencies and organizations across the state are working to implement summer meal programs to ensure kids get the food they need.

SUMMER EBT

Nebraska will be participating in Summer EBT for Summer 2024! Eligible children will automatically receive an EBT card loaded with $120 ($40 per summer month) that families can use to purchase food at local retailers. Visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Summer EBT webpage to learn more about eligibility, updating your address, card activation, and more.

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP)

SFSP offers kids ages one to 18 free meals in high-needs locations that are supervised, safe, and welcoming. School districts, organizations, camps, agencies, or other groups can be sponsors through the SFSP and receive federal reimbursement. Meals can be served in several ways:

• Traditional: Meals are served at eligible sites and in-person attendance is required. 
• Rural Non-Congregate (RNC): As of 2023, approved sponsors can now use alternate service models such as grab and go, curbside, drive thru, walk up, or delivery to serve individual or multi-day meals to children in an eligible area.

Students may participate in both Summer EBT and SFSP.

SIX BEST PRACTICES FOR SFSP AND EQUITY

Increasing equity and access at SFSP sites is not only good for kids and families, it better supports SFSP reimbursements and programs. Find six traditional meal service best practices taken from Nebraska sponsors here.