Release No. 0082.02

Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286
Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

USDA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO CONTINUE IMPROVING CHILDREN’S ACCESS 
TO THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

Washington, March 4, 2002 – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced efforts to increase awareness of and participation in USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, the largest federal resource available for feeding children during the summer months. Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Eric M. Bost is implementing several initiatives to assist communities that want to provide summer meals for children in low-income areas.

When school lets out for the summer, many children may not have access to a nutritious meal during the day,” said Veneman. “We are committed to the principle that no child will be left behind, so we are examining ways to make these programs more responsive to local needs.

We want to encourage local organizations to step forward in sponsoring a summer feeding program in their community.

New initiatives underway include:

• Streamlining program management and operations by allowing school districts to apply for a waiver through FY 2004 through their state education agency to operate a seamless summer feeding program.
• Developing a comprehensive strategy to work more closely with organizations such as schools, community centers, boys and girls clubs and faith-based organizations that are good conduits for sponsoring summer feeding sites in local communities.
• Forming new partnerships with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), America’s Second Harvest and the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) to develop materials and strategies to encourage increased program participation.

Under the waivers, school districts would continue to follow most of the rules for operating the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs just as they do throughout the school year.

Fourteen state agencies are also participating in a multi-year pilot program that would simplify reimbursement procedures for local sponsors.

“This is a golden opportunity for community organizations to step forward and help make a positive difference in the lives of children,” said Bost. “There are many ways communities can get involved to feed hungry children.”

The Summer Food Service Program was created to ensure that children in low-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals when they don’t have access to school breakfast or lunch. Although nearly 14 million low-income children depend on free and reduced-price meals for 9 months out of the year, only 3 million receive meals through the Summer Food Service Program or meals served in summer school.

Information on the Summer Food Service Program and how to become a sponsor is available at http://www.summerfood.usda.gov .

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