INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is recruiting eligible schools and qualified community organizations to participate in the 2020 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). During the summer months, SFSP provides nutritious meals to eligible children ages 18 and under.
“The Summer Food Service Program is vital to the health and wellbeing of some of Indiana’s most vulnerable children,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “I encourage all capable schools and community organizations to participate and ensure Indiana’s children have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session. Together, we can make a difference.”
Created in 1968, SFSP is funded and operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and administered by the states. Participating organizations must adhere to all USDA regulations, including meal service and recordkeeping, and are reimbursed for their participation.
In 2019, 250 school corporations, local governments, and non-profit agency sponsors served 2.5 million meals at more than 1,300 meal sites throughout Indiana. Despite the large number of meals served, less than one out of every five low-income Indiana children receiving free or reduced lunch during the school year take advantage of the free meals offered during the summer months.
For 2020, IDOE is encouraging participating agencies to expand their programs to feed children and teens for the entire summer break, in areas where children are most at-risk for hunger. Schools located in high poverty areas are especially encouraged to participate.
The application deadline for potential sponsors is April 30 and IDOE will host multiple training workshops across the state for new and returning sponsoring organizations. Attendance is required for all new and returning sponsoring agencies.
For additional information regarding SFSP, including how to register for the training workshops, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/nutrition/summer-food-service-program.
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.
