Various aspects of the summer food service program for children were reviewed in light of alleged abuses during program operations in major urban areas. Causes of abuses that had been detected by other groups, including the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, were investigated. The review was conducted at the Food and Nutrition Service headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the regional offices in Princeton, New Jersey, and San Francisco, California.

Serious abuses, both criminal and administrative, have occurred in the summer feeding program. Most of the abuses have involved private nonprofit organizations, which comprised three-fourths of the program's sponsors. Public agency sponsors, such as schools and park departments, operated programs relatively free of abuses. The Department of Agriculture has revised the program's regulations to try to prevent abuses.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Recommendation for Executive Action

Recommendation: Additional changes covering sponsor and site selection and termination, contracting procedures, State staffing and monitoring, sponsor record-keeping, and advances of funds should be included in the revised regulations. The program's authorizing legislation should be revised to authorize only schools and public agencies as sponsors. Additional legislative changes dealing with administrative funds for States and sponsors, definitions of eligible sponsors and children, the number of food services allowed each day, and the issuance of program regulations have been proposed.

Agency Affected:

Status: Closed

Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.