As a Summer EATS/Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor, Food 4 Kids is reimbursed a fixed amount by the USDA for each meal served as a first serving to children. The SFSP reimburses 2 first-serving meals at each site/day. Meals served as second servings or to adults, and any left overs are not reimbursed.
The Massachusetts Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE) oversees overall management of the SFSP program, including disbursement of USDA funds. We submit total monthly meal counts for each site and are reimbursed accordingly. USDA reimbursement rates are adjusted annually. Historically this reimbursement has covered between 47 to 70% of our total expenses over the past 13 years. In 2025, USDA reimbursements covered 47% due to increasing the nutrient-density and diversity of meals, and soaring food costs on the Cape.
We also provide meals outside the official Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) parameters to meet the needs of local families. We provide a third meal at many sites, we serve anyone who requests a meal even they are outside the 0-18 age range, we serve meals at site that do not meet the strict “poverty qualification” standards set by the USDA, and we provide bagged lunches to local community fridges. None of these are reimbursed.
We rely on grants from the state, Project Bread, Cape Cod funding agencies, town human services, local businesses and associations, and faith-based organizations, as well as individual donations to help us bridge the gap. Visit our Funding Partners page for details.