Seamless Summer Option

About the Program

The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) combines features of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The program is designed to encourage more school food authorities (SFAs) to provide meals during summer and other school vacation periods. The SSO reduces paperwork and makes it easier for SFAs to provide meals to children in low-income areas during the summer.

Benefits of the Program

During the school year, many children receive a free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program. When schools let out, many children are at risk of going hungry. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins and make children more prone to illnesses and other health issues. The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) is designed to fill that nutrition gap and provide children with the nutritious meals they need and deserve. In 2017, sponsors participating in either the SFSP or SSO provided over four million meals to children throughout South Carolina. 

Best Practices

  • Encourage outside entities to provide a site for local school aged children to eat
  • Think outside the box by making sites mobile
  • Incorporate learning and educational games into your sites
  • Involve the community and it’s leaders

Goals of the Program

  • Create a network of sponsors that can provide healthy food choices throughout the summer
  • Expand the outreach to defeat hunger during the summer months
  • Increase children consumption of meals
  • Make a difference in children’s lives to impact their present and future health

Who Can Participate:

  • Must operate the National School Lunch Program
  • Must submit an application to participate
  • Must be in good standing with the SA in areas of AR and be financial viable
  • Must have 50% or more of its students qualified for free or reduced price meals in the areas of consideration

SC SSO Statistics

School Year District Participating Schools Participating Total Meals Served Reimbursement Earned
SY 2016-17 Breakfast 31 107 218,907 $441,877.02
SY 2016-17 Lunch 34 114 379,064 $1,228,126.82
SY 2015-16 Breakfast 26 324 474,617 $953,601.57
SY 2015-16 Lunch 28 327 830,360 $2,646,307.59
SY 2014-15 Breakfast 33 270 423,114 $827,074.24
SY 2014-14 Lunch 39 301 825,166 $2,562,668.83

Resources:

For more information contact:

Lorrie Gregory
SSO Program Assistant
Office of Health and Nutrition
SC Department of Education

Phone: 803-734-4772
Email: lgregory@ed.sc.gov