Hawaiʻi DOE Seeks Sponsors for Summer Food Program

The US Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program is seeking sponsor organizations on all islands to help provide children in low-income communities with free meals during the summer months.

The SFSP provides nutritious meals that help children learn, play, and grow during the summer break when many schools are not in session.

Schools, public agencies, churches and private nonprofit organizations may apply to be SFSP sponsors and will receive reimbursements for helping serve these healthy meals and snacks. Sponsors are encouraged to provide educational or recreational activities in addition to these free meals.

“Summer food service programs are vital to many of our keiki who normally rely on school meals for most of their daily intake,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “The HIDOE is a proud partner with our families and our community to ensure that students receive the highly nutritious meals that they need daily for healthy growth and development and readiness to learn.”

In 2018, 78,151 SFSP lunches were served across 98 locations throughout the state. Locations of lunches served varied from nonprofit organizations, preschools, churches, parks and housing facilities. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education also served 125,151 lunches at 69 school locations on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaiʻi through its Seamless Summer Option program.

The Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs will conduct workshops for new and returning sponsors on Maui, Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu from March 15 to 23. Personnel responsible for administering the SFSP will be required to attend.

For more information about SFSP, contact Daniel Sutcharitkul at the Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs at (808) 587-3600.