Child Nutrition Resource
Round-Up: April 2026 Edition 

Spring is here, and many are preparing to reach kids with nutritious meals during the summer and next school year. Hunger remains a persistent reality for New York kids, and federal child nutrition programs are vital to safeguarding food security for families. This newsletter includes resources to leverage these programs, new SNAP outreach guidance for schools from the NYS Education Department, upcoming deadlines, events, and more.

Fueling Summer Fun: Timely Updates for 2026

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor Deadlines Approaching  
The application deadline to become a new SFSP sponsor is May 1, and the renewal deadline for returning sponsors is June 1. Are you considering sponsoring summer meals for the first time? Please see the New York State Education Department's resource for potential new sponsors, which includes basic information and next steps, and NYSED’s new sponsor application request form. General program information is available on NYSED's SFSP webpage.

Register Today: Learn about Summer EBT in New York  
Summer EBT Webinar with NYSOTDA 
Thursday, May 14, 10 AM 
Join us for a discussion with the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (NYSOTDA) about plans for Summer EBT in 2026. Learn about key messages for families, outreach opportunities, and other important program updates for this coming summer. Register here.

Expanding Access to Summer Meals in Rural Communities 
ICYMI: Watch the webinar recording, Fueling Rural Futures: A Panel Discussion featuring Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals Champions, to learn more about what’s happening around the state with rural non-congregate summer meal providers. This 35-minute conversation highlights lessons learned and best practices. View the recording here.

Reaching More Students with Free School Breakfast

Upcoming school breakfast webinars can help schools learn how to reach more kids with free school breakfast and why it’s important. Register today!

Build A Stronger Breakfast Program with Universal Free School Meals
Tuesday, April 21, 1 PM
Take a fresh look at school breakfast and ways to reach more kids now that New York’s Universal Free School Meals program is in place. This panel, co-hosted with No Kid Hungry New York, will feature school nutrition leaders Lauren Kearley of Huntington Union Free School District and Kyle Mattler of Taconic Hills Central School District. We’ll cover different breakfast service approaches and considerations for implementation, along with strategies to build support among school leaders. Whether your school is looking to strengthen an existing breakfast program or explore a new approach, this session will highlight real examples to help schools take the next step. Register here.

An Update on School Breakfast Research
Wednesday, April 28, 3 PM 
Join No Kid Hungry and Harvard researcher Dr. Juliana Cohen for a short, practical webinar highlighting the latest school breakfast research and what it means for district programs. Learn how recent findings can support participation, inform menu and service decisions, and strengthen conversations with administrators. Register here.

New Child Nutrition Resources from the New York State Education Department

NYSED’s Rural Non-Congregate Resources 
The number of rural non-congregate (RNC) meals has grown exponentially every summer since this flexibility became permanent in 2023. New York State sponsors served approximately 98,000 RNC meals in 2023, 370,000 in 2024, and a staggering 850,000 in 2025! Check out NYSED’s resources belowsful summer of serving RNC meals.

• RNC Summer Meals Feedback Form Template
• Helpful Tips for RNC Registration
• Navigating RNC Program Integrity

NEW Memo: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach
This memo outlines the new SNAP outreach requirement for schools, free resources available, and implementation guidance, including best practices and next steps. The memo clarifies that all New York State school districts, charter schools, and non‑public schools that operate as School Food Authorities must implement SNAP outreach procedures.

NYSED Child Nutrition Newsletter: April 2026
This newsletter highlights the new SNAP outreach memo, alongside end-of-school-year planning resources and updates. Check out this newsletter to learn about important spring deadlines for operating school meals in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

ICYMI: WIC Resource Round-Up  

Catch up on important updates for WIC, including the rollout of new WIC food packages, which bring more flexible, culturally relevant options to families, and a new social media toolkit to help spread the word about WIC eligibility, including automatic eligibility for families enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start, and New York's Essential Plan.

Save the Date: Celebrate Provider Appreciation Day on Friday, May 8

Stay tuned to help us celebrate the child care providers who nourish New York’s children through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP reimburses eligible child care and afterschool program providers for serving healthy meals to children in their care. This upcoming Provider Appreciation Day, we are celebrating the thousands of providers who help children establish positive eating habits with CACFP.