2.4.2014 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is encouraging leaders across the state to take steps to serve more summer meals.
Superintendent Torlakson just announced that the California Department of Education is promoting expansion of summer nutrition programs. Summer meals provide nutritious lunches to children in geographic areas where at least 50 percent of students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals. The program works by reimbursing agencies that serve these meals to children 18 years and younger during school vacation. The SFSP operates when schools in a community are on vacation for at least 15 continuous school days or when year-round schools are off track.
Sponsors may prepare meals or obtain meals from another SFSP sponsor, public or commercial food vendor, or a school food service department. All meals must meet the USDA minimum meal pattern requirements. Eligible sponsors often provide summer activities for children to promote their summer feeding sites.
Agencies interested in becoming SFSP sponsors must obtain training by California Department of Education (CDE) staff before their applications can be approved. Applications are due 45 days before beginning meal service and no later than May 15, 2014. Training sessions are available from early February through April. All commercial food service vendors are also invited to participate in the training sessions. The training will benefit food service vendors by providing information for meeting SFSP meal pattern and contract requirements.
All families have to do is show up at any open meal site and their hungry children will be fed, no questions asked, and no income verification is necessary.
More information on becoming a successful sponsor is available, here.
A menu of options for policymakers is available, here.
