News Article –
Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking partners across the state to help provide meals at no cost to children from low-income families through the Summer BreakSpot Program. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), together known as Summer BreakSpot, operate at schools, non-profits, and other community-based organizations when schools are closed such as the summer and during COVID-19 school closures. From March through August, Summer BreakSpot sponsors served 73,996,536 meals at more than 4,200 sites statewide.
“When schools closed in March due to COVID-19, Summer BreakSpot sponsors stepped up to make sure Florida’s children received consistent access to nutrition, serving 74 million meals through the summer,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “When schools release for summer break this year, many students that rely on school meals will need to find a reliable source of daily nutritious meals. This year, as more families are faced with food insecurity, we’re actively seeking to increase partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, schools, residential summer camps, and faith-based organizations as they are well-positioned to reach unserved children throughout the state.”
Through the Summer BreakSpot Program, organizations can provide nutritious, no-cost meals to children in low-income areas through a variety of programs, such as summer day camps and enrichment programs. Qualified organizations will be reimbursed for program operating and administrative expenses based on the number of eligible meals served. To be eligible, organizations must:
- Provide continuing service to the community
- Serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as a part of an organized program for children enrolled at camps
- Show financial and administrative capability to operate the program
For more information on Summer BreakSpot, visit FDACS.gov/Food-Nutrition/Nutrition-Programs/Summer-Food-Service-Program/Summer-BreakSpot-Sponsors/Sponsor-Training.
New and returning sponsors for the 2021 Summer BreakSpot program are required to take annual training. Registration for the training will be open January 6 through February 26, 2021 on the website listed above.
New Sponsor Training Requirements:
Any organization that did not operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 2020 is considered a new sponsor. A new sponsor must complete the online training and the webinar training outlined below. The program administrator and/or program director must take the required training. Each person must have their own registration for online training and the webinar for credit to be given to the individual of the organization.
Step 1: Online Training: New sponsors must complete 10 online training modules with a score of 80% or higher between January 6 and February 26, 2021. If a sponsor is requesting a June advance, then the training must be completed by February 15, 2021 with a passing score of 80%, as required by rule 5P-3 as a part of the complete application.
Step 2: Webinar Training: New sponsors must attend one of the webinars listed below. The online training must be completed before attending a webinar.
- January 28, 2021 at 8:30 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
- February 10, 2021 at 8:30 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
- February 25, 2021 at 8:30 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Returning Sponsor Training Requirements:
Any organization that is currently operating the Summer Food Service Program or operated in 2020 and plans to operate in May 2021 must complete the following steps. The program administrator and/or program director must take the required training. Each person must have their own registration for online training and the webinar for credit to be given to the individual of the organization.
Step 1: Online Training: Returning sponsors must complete 10 online training modules with a score of 80% or higher between January 6, 2021 and February 26, 2021. If a sponsor is requesting a June advance, then the training must be completed by February 15, 2021 with a passing score of 80%, as required by rule 5P-3 as a part of the complete application.
Step 2: Webinar Trainings: Returning sponsors must attend the two webinars listed below. The online training must be completed before attending the webinars.
Flexibilities Webinars (must attend one):
- January 20, 2021 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
- February 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Questions and Answer Webinar (must attend one):
- January 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
- February 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
About Summer BreakSpot: Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Summer BreakSpot Program is administered at the state level by FDACS, and it is run in local communities by schools and qualified public and private non- profit organizations.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form[ 
], (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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