Summer BreakSpot Sponsor Training

The Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option, together known as Summer BreakSpot, operate at schools, nonprofits and other community-based organizations when schools are closed. From March through August 2020, when schools were closed due to COVID-19 and then for the summer, Summer BreakSpot sponsors served 73,996,536 meals at more than 4,200 sites statewide.

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 summer 2021, we are no longer accepting applications for sponsorship.  You are, however, able to apply to be a site under an existing sponsor. To be listed as an active site under an existing sponsor in your area means:

• The sponsor would be financially responsible for the operation of your meal service program and would be responsible for the applications, meal pattern requirements, reimbursements, etc. 
• Your organization would receive and serve food to the children from the existing sponsor.
• You must attend training under the existing sponsor.

If you would like to participate as a site, contact Jaren Vass at Jaren.Vass@FDACS.gov for more information. 

Criteria for Being a Sponsor

A sponsor must:

• Demonstrate financial and administrative capability to comply with program requirements;
• Accept financial and administrative responsibility for all meal sites;
• Conduct food services that are not for profit;
• Exercise management control over meal service at all sites; and
• Ensure staff is trained and sites are monitored throughout the program.

More About Being a Sponsor

A sponsor must:

• Complete required state agency training;
• Locate eligible sites;
• Hire, train and supervise staff;
• Arrange for meals to be prepared or delivered;
• Promote the program in your community;
• Monitor your sites throughout the summer; and
• Prepare and submit claims for reimbursement.