Your congregation can participate in the 2009 Summer Food Service Program as a sponsor, a site, or by helping local organizations develop a program that meets the needs of your communities! The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and exists as a resource for bringing healthy food to those who are in need. Summer Food programs bridge the gap during the summer months for those individuals that participate in the free and reduced lunch and breakfast programs during the school year.
Applications for funding and sponsorship are due to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition Field Operations Office by April 15, 2009. Sponsors must apply through TDA and attend training before a Summer Food program can officially begin. Applications and guidance can be found on the TDA Summer Food website. Contact your regional TDA Food and Nutrition Field Operations Offices for guidance on the application process and to get information about eligibility requirements. A Summer Food Service Program training schedule can be found through TDA as well.
The Texas Department of Agriculture is actively seeking partners to help provide food. TDA encourages faith-communities and non-profit organizations to participate in the Summer Food Program, by providing meals to children in their communities during the summer months. Congregations can support the Summer Food program by becoming a sponsor, or by partnering with a sponsor as an individual site. The Summer Food Service Program exists as a resource for bringing healthy food to those who are in need. Summer Food programs are funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered in Texas through TDA, which coordinates the funding and facilitation of the program. TDA reimburses groups or organizations that provide free meals to children during the summer in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.
Funding available through the Summer Food program can also be used to supplement your existing summer programs such as camps, vacation bible schools or other outreach activities, that have food and nutrition component. A congregation sponsoring or hosting a site can integrate the SFSP with its existing summer programming or implement new summer activities based around the meal program. Consider how the Summer Food program can help your congregation provide opportunities for youth by engaging children in physical activity, nature education, outdoor programming, or nutritional education programming.
Photos courtesy of Sustainable Food Center and Texas Department of Agriculture
For more information, go to:
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Summer Foods Program
Summer Food Service Program Application
