The SFSP provides an additional incentive for bringing children to ongoing programs, such as day camps, parks and recreation activities, and the program also provides jobs for food service staff who generally do not work during the summer. It may also be used in conjunction with a job training program, since site supervisors and assistants are needed. The SFSP allows most sponsors to serve two meals or a meal and a snack. Residential programs and migrant sponsors may be allowed to serve more. The federal government establishes reimbursement rates for operational and administrative costs.
Reimbursement is based on the meal served and the number of children who participated.
Agencies will be reimbursed either by rates or cost whichever is less. In areas where poor economic conditions exist, a sponsor may operate an open site. An open site may be identified by examining free and reduced price meals data from the National School Lunch Program. Enrolled sites serve only identified groups of children. An identified group of needy children live in a pocket of poverty.