DEPARTMENT SEEKS SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM SPONSORS

The Child Nutrition Division of the State Department of Education is seeking sponsors for this year’s Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals for children, ages 1-18, who live in areas in need of economic assistance during school summer vacations.

Now more than ever, this program is needed to fill the gap for families who may not be able to afford to give their children nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session.

The Department contracts with public and private schools, non-profit organizations, city, county, and tribal governments, and other organizations to feed low-income children during the summer months. Nationally, more than 26 million children eat school lunch daily when school is in session, and about half of them receive their meals free or at a reduced price because they are from families with low household incomes. The summer program offers them nutritious food when school is not in session.

Last year, Idaho’s 88 summer food sponsors served approximately 1.4 million meals at 337 sites. For the 2012 program year, sponsors may be:

• Public or private nonprofit schools;
• Public or private nonprofit residential camps;
• Local, municipal, county, tribal, or state governments;
• Public or private nonprofit colleges or universities that participate in the National Youth Sports Program;
• Upward Bound programs;
• Libraries; or
• Private nonprofit organizations.

New sponsors are required to attend training at a location near them and complete a paper application as soon as possible. Continuing sponsors for the 2012 summer program are invited to choose a training session in March or April at a location near to them. The 2012 training schedule is:

• March 14 – Fruitland
• March 21 – Boise
• April 9 – Coeur d’Alene
• April 10 – Lewiston
• April 17 – Idaho Falls
• April 18 – Pocatello
• April 19 – Twin Falls

The 2012 training registration information is available online at http://www.databasesdoneright.com/nutrition/. Select the calendar to find the training.

Applications are provided at training and are due to the Department by May 4, 2012.

Meals for the Summer Food Service Program must be served in accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additional information about the Simplified Summer Food Program is available on our website at www.sde.idaho.gov/site/cnp/summerFoods, or from Angela T. Miller, (208) 332-6821 or at ATMiller@sde.idaho.gov.