The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is seeking partnering organizations to participate in the Commonwealth’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to help ensure children have access to nutritious meals during months when school is not in session.
The SFSP Program — funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) — provides the opportunity for organizations to combine a meal program with an enrichment activity in communities where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Approved organizations are reimbursed for meals served and associated administrative costs. In addition, all participating organizations receive training and technical assistance from the VDOE-SCNP.
The Program can operate at schools, public housing centers, community centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, and religious centers. Organizations that qualify to participate in the program include public and private schools, local governments, public and nonprofit private residential summer camps, and faith-based and community-based non-profit organizations.
Organizations in areas designated as rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture may be eligible to serve multiple days’ worth of take-home meals at once.
Approximately 130 summer meals partner organizations served over 4.4 million meals and snacks to Virginia’s children between May-August last year.
Information for organizations interested in applying to participate in the Program — including details on application deadlines — is available on the VDOE website.