Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program: Expansion, Access, Training, and Start-Up (SFSP EATS) Grant for New and Existing Sponsors

Kristen Torres Powers
kristen.torres@mass.gov

Sally Teixeira
sallym.teixeira@mass.gov

This program provides funding to new and existing Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors in Massachusetts to encourage increased participation in the program by serving more children per day, increasing total meals served, extending the length of the SFSP, and/or creating new sites. Priority is given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.

Program priorities include:

• Increase number of SFSP participants by increasing average daily participation (ADP)
• Support new sites that will serve a low-income population not previously served in the SFSP
• Support programs that serve the highest number of eligible children
• Increase access to healthy meals in rural communities
• Implement Farm to Summer initiatives at sites by utilizing fresh local produce and incorporating agricultural activities
• Provide nutritious meals to children with increased offerings of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in the meal service
• Provide training to site supervisors
• Support School Food Authorities (SFAs) that offer school breakfast and after school snack programs during the academic year
• Equip sites with resources, materials and supplies for program sustainability

New and existing Summer Food Service Program sponsors, including school food authorities, government and community-based organizations, may apply. Proposals that focus on serving a significant low-income population will receive priority consideration.

Awards range from $1,000 to $35,000 based on the highest total number of first meals served during selected month in summer 2023. All goods and services must be delivered by June 30, 2024.

Links to additional guidance and the online application system are available on the program website.