About Summer Lunch

The National Summer Food Service Program

Summer lunch offers comunity-based organizations a chance to give local kids nutritious meals and snacks; a safe haven; and a good start toward their ability to learn and be active. 

Find Out if Your Organization Qualifies: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/sponsors/index.html

• Summer lunch is an important weapon in the battle against childhood hunger and obesity. The meals must meet nutritional guidelines similar to those required in the school breakfast and lunch programs. Studies have found that children who eat school breakfast and lunches have a healthier diet than those who do not. They drink more milk, eat more fruits and vegetables, and consume less saturated fat.

• This program offers support for working families who are struggling to make ends meet. During the school year, low-income parents can rely on school meals to ensure that their children are getting a healthy breakfast and lunch. When those meals disappear during the summer the demand for emergency food by families with children increases dramatically.

• Program sponsors such as Food Banks, Parks and Recreation Departments, City Governments and Boys and Girls Clubs receive reimbursements from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for serving healthy meals and snacks to children and teenagers, 18 years and younger.

• The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was created by Congress in 1968.  It is a federal program overseen by USDA and administered in California by the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division.SFSP is designed to provide funds for eligible sponsoring organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session.