Indiana Department of Education Kicks off 2018 Summer Food Service Program

INDIANAPOLIS–The Indiana Department of Education announced today the kickoff of the 2018 Summer Food Service Program. In partnership with more than 250 school and community sponsors, children 18 and younger all across the state will have access to free meals and snacks throughout the summer break.

“Providing children access to wholesome and nutritious meals is important during the summer months,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I want to thank our sponsors for their dedication and support.”

June marks the busiest month for the summer food program when many families seek help for additional nutrition resources. As a result, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a statewide proclamation declaring the week of June 4-8 Summer Food Service Program week.

For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program has provided eligible children and youth ages 18 and under with access to free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. In 2017 Indiana sponsors served over three million meals across the state. Site locations and meal service times vary throughout the state, and locations range from parks and community centers to schools, churches, neighborhoods, and mobile feeding sites.

The Summer Food Service Program is a federal nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Indiana Department of Education. The program is designed to meet the needs of low-income children in areas where children may have limited access to good nutrition.

For more information about the Summer Food Service Program, including an interactive map with site locations and hours of operation, please visit: https://www.doe.in.gov/nutrition/summer-food-service-program. To view the 2018 proclamation from Governor Eric J. Holcomb proclaiming June 4-8 as the Summer Food Service Program Week, please visit: https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/news/sfsp-proclamation-2018.pdf.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 
 
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
               Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
               1400 Independence Avenue, SW
               Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.