Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

What is food insecurity?
The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food

What is the problem?
During the summer, low-income children and teens lose access to the vital programming and meals they receive during the school year. However, only 1 in 6 children in need get meals over the summer making the problem of food insecurity worse for children in summer.

What are the effects of food insecurity on children?
· Low nutrition, iron deficiency and lower bone density
· Strongly associated with development of obesity due to poor access to healthy foods
· Decreased cognitive ability
· Reduced academic achievement
· Emotional stress
· More likely to be sick and recover from illness more slowly

What Can Help Address Food Insecurity?
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need throughout the summer months when they are out of school. The Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers SFSP at the Federal level. Locally, SFSP is run by approved sponsors, such as local government agencies or camps. Sponsors provide free meals to a group of children at a central site, such as a school or a community center.

Sites operate in low-income areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Meals are served free to any child at the open site. Children 18 and younger may receive free meals and snacks through SFSP.

How can I find access?
To find the closest feeding site call 2-1-1 or text FOOD to 877-877
Online visit the Summer Meal Site Finder

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