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Summer Food Service partners sought |
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January18, 2018 |
The Child Nutrition Division of the Idaho State
Department of Education is seeking partners for
this year’s Summer Food Service Program, which
provides free meals and snacks to children ages
1-18 who live in low-income areas during the
summer months.
The Summer Food Service Program was created to
assist families who may not be able to afford to
give their children nutritious meals when school
is not in session. Nationwide during the school
year, more than 30 million children eat school
lunch daily, and more than half receive meals
free or at a reduced price.
School lunch programs end with the school year,
but hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. This
program helps fill the hunger gap by offering
year-round access to healthy food.
The department contracts with community
partners, referred to as “sponsors,” to feed
children during the summer months. Sponsors are
reimbursed for each qualifying meal or snack
they serve at approved sites. The department can
help identify options for providing meals.
Last year, Idaho’s 75 summer food sponsors
served approximately 1.17 million meals and
snacks at more than 300 sites. For more
information on becoming a sponsor or feeding
site, call (208) 332-6820.
For the 2018 program year, sponsors may be, but
are not limited to:
• Public or private nonprofit schools
• Public or private nonprofit residential camps
• City, county, tribal or state governments
• Public or private nonprofit colleges or universities that participate
in the National Youth Sports Program
• Upward Bound programs
• Religious organizations
• Libraries
• Private nonprofit organizations
All sponsors, new and returning, are required to
attend training and must complete the
application process as soon as possible.
Sponsors can attend the training session most
convenient for them.
The 2018 training schedule is:
• Fruitland – April 13
• Boise – April 16 and April 17
• Coeur d’Alene – April 19 and April 20
• Idaho Falls – April 24
• Pocatello – April 25 and April 26
• Twin Falls – April 27
Application information will be provided to
eligible sponsors and is due to the Department
of Education by May 4. Applications that are not
complete by June 15 cannot be approved.
Department approval is required prior to program
operation. Meals for the Summer Food Service
Program must be served in accordance with
federal law and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Nondiscrimination policy. |
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