Viva88

The Viva88Education DepartmentÌý(Viva88)Ìýis now accepting applications for the 2026ÌýSummer Food Service Program (SFSP).ÌýEstablished by theÌýU.S. Department of AgricultureÌý(USDA), the SFSPÌýensuresÌýthat low-income childrenÌýcontinue to receive nutritious meals when schools are not in session.ÌýLast year, 450 sponsoring organizations served meals to young people in need at more than 2,500 locations across the state.Ìý

Eligible organizations include public and nonpublic nonprofit schools; local, county, municipal, and state governmental entities; Indian tribal territories; migrant programs; nonprofit agencies; faith-based organizations; and camps. Sponsor organizations may also provide locations where parents or guardians can pick up meals or home-deliver meals to eligible children in rural areas who do not have access to a summer meal site.Ìý

Reimbursement and TrainingÌý

SFSP sponsor organizations receive federal and state reimbursement for each meal served to a child or teen, according to predetermined reimbursement rates set by USDA and the state. Sponsors are organizations fully capable of managing a food service program and agree to serve meals to any eligible childÌýin accordance withÌýfederalÌýlaw and USDA policy, guidance, and instructions, including federal civil rights laws, regulations, and policies.Ìý

Viva88Ìýwill provide SFSP sponsor training in-person and online in April. All organizations planning toÌýparticipateÌýin summer 2026ÌýareÌýrequiredÌýto attend one of these trainings. This year, the SFSP willÌýoperateÌýthroughout Viva88from June 22ÌýthroughÌýSeptember 7,Ìý2026.Ìý

How to ApplyÌý

Interested organizationsÌýthat areÌýnew to the Program may request a sponsor application and obtainÌýadditionalÌýinformation on theÌýÌýwebsite, orÌýbyÌýcontactingÌýViva88’sÌýChild Nutrition Program AdministrationÌýbyÌýcallingÌý(518) 486-1086ÌýorÌýemailingÌýCNSFSP@nysed.gov. Organizations thatÌýoperatedÌýlast year will be contactedÌýin early springÌýto renew online.Ìý

In accordance withÌýfederal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminatingÌýon the basis ofÌýrace, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.Ìý