State Schools Chief announces applications for Summer Food Service Program

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced applications are available for the Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded, stateadministered program that serves meals to California’s low-income children.

“Providing nutritious meals to students during the school year helps students stay alert and focused in class,” Torlakson said. “Making sure children have access to healthy food during the summer is just as critical. Those students will return to school in the fall ready to learn.”

The Summer Food Service Program reimburses participating organizations that provide free meals to children 18 and younger when students are on summer vacation or when those students who attend year-round schools are out of school for 15 or more consecutive school days.

Summer Food Service sponsors may prepare meals or obtain meals from another sponsor, public or commercial food vendor, or a school food service department. All meals must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements.

Sponsors serve meals and snacks to children at state-approved locations where at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the school year.

Organizations eligible to apply include schools, camps, non-profits, tribal governments and government agencies. Applications are due by June 1.

For more information, visit the California Department of Education Summer Food Service Program information web page, www.cde. ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/sfspinfo. asp.