HOW TO Participate in Summer Meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), also known as the Summer Meals Program, provides kids and teens in low-income areas free meals when school is out. There are a number of ways that local organizations can be a part of the Summer Meals Program.

What is the Summer Food Service Program?

The SFSP is a federally-funded, state-administered program. The SFSP reimburses providers who serve free healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session. Check out our video to learn more.

Who Does the Program Serve?

The SFSP serves children and teens age 18 and younger. How Does It Work? There are three main players involved: State agencies, sponsors, and sites. • State agencies administer the program and communicate with USDA. • Sponsors enter into agreements with State agencies to run the program. Schools, local government agencies, camps, faith-based and other non-profit community organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors. Sponsors get reimbursed by the Program and may manage multiple sites. • Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, apartment complexes, churches, and migrant centers. Sites work directly with sponsors.

How Can Your Organization Participate?

1. Contact your State agency to see if you can become a site that serves summer meals. The State agency will help to see if you are located in an eligible area that can serve summer meals and connect you with a sponsor organization. 2. Promote the Summer Meals Programs to your community. Put up flyers and door hangers with information on where free summer meals are being served to help families find a nearby Summer Meals site. 3. Provide fun activities for the kids & teens at your site to keep them coming back and to keep them physically and mentally active. Recruit teens to help at your site to give them responsibilities and new skills. 4. Volunteer at other sites. Help serve meals or transport meals for other organizations that are involved with the Summer Meals Program. Organize physical or learning activities for the kids & teens. Resources: • Check out the Summer Food Service Program website: www.summerfood.usda.gov • Learn why organizations throughout the country serve Summer Meals: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=U_93W0U3E8U&index=5&list=PLBccton­ 6gOdp0d5YdliI3TtRcSDtCdmzH • Contact your State agency to talk about how you can get involved: www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/sfsp-contacts • Find Summer Meals promotional materials: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/raise-awareness • Discover ways to recruit teens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A5KOqsVeIs&list=PLBccton­ 6gOdp0d5YdliI3TtRcSDtCdmzH&index=2 •

Find Summer Meals sites close to you: http://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks