By Trish Svoboda

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is seeking sponsors interested in supplying nutritious meals to children in Kansas throughout the summer months. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SFSP offers reimbursement to schools, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations for their food services, as stated in a release.

Children in areas meeting school or census eligibility criteria for free and reduced-price meals can receive these meals at no cost.

SFSP’s primary goal is to ensure that children in high-poverty areas continue to access nutritious meals once the low-cost or free school meals from the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs are unavailable during the summer. Sponsors participating in SFSP receive reimbursements for serving and documenting healthy meals to children aged 1 to 18 at approved sites in needy areas.

SFSP encourages communities to establish secure places where children can gather with peers and caring adults. This initiative ensures that parents know their children are receiving healthy meals within a supportive environment.

Organizations interested in serving nutritious meals to children through a summer program can call Kelly Chanay, director of Child Nutrition and Wellness for KSDE, at (785) 296-2276. For more information, visit https://cnw.ksde.org and select the Summer Food Service Program.