Certain rural areas can distribute nutritious meals to kids outside of the typically required group (congregate) settings through the Summer Food Service Program (SUN Meals To-Go) and NSLP Seamless Summer Option.
As part of our collaborative efforts to enhance USDA's summer nutrition programs, approved program operators in low-income, rural areas can now use alternate service models that are tailored to the needs of the children and communities they serve. States will exercise discretion in approving sites for non-congregate meal service (SUN Meals To-Go) as they balance meeting the needs of their communities and ensuring program integrity.
Navigating SUN Meals To-Go
Policy Memos
- SFSP 03-2025, SP 08-2025 - Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers #3
- SFSP 08-2024, SP 15-2024 - Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers #2
- SFSP 07-2024, SP 13-2024 - Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers
- SFSP 05-2024 - Guidance on the Management and Administration Plan and State Administrative Funds
- SFSP 04-2024, SP 06-2024 - Rural Designations in the Summer Meal Programs - Revised
- SFSP 03-2024, SP 05-2024 - Implementation Guidance for the Rural Non-congregate Option Provisions of the Interim Final Rule, Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs
- SFSP 03-2023 - Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the SFSP
- SFSP 02-2023 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
Additional Resources
- Webinar for State Agencies: IFR for Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service
- Webinar for Sponsors and Program Operators: IFR for Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service
- Considerations for offering multiple meals as part of summer non-congregate meal service.
- Summer 2025 Reimbursement Rates
- Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service Examples: Summer 2023