USDA, DOE seek sponsors for 2014 Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and managed locally by the Delaware Department of Education, seeks to increase the number of children 18 years of age or younger who receive nutritious and healthy meals during the summer months. Organizations that participate are eligible to receive reimbursements for meals served and administrative expenses.

Units of local government, camps, schools, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to operate a SFSP.  Children 18 and under may receive free meals and snacks through the SFSP. Meals and snacks also are available to people with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs.

Sponsors will receive training to help them operate successful programs and will have continued support from the Delaware Department of Education throughout the course of the program. All sponsors must agree to serve meals to all children regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Eligibility for SFSP is based on free and reduced-cost lunch data for a school for a particular area. To qualify as an open site that can feed all children, the site must be in an area where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. In addition, camps and enrolled programs may qualify based on individual income eligibility.

For information on becoming a food program sponsor or site, or to locate a sponsored site, call 302-735-4060 or go to www.doe.k12.de.us and search Summer Food Service Program.