Sponsors sought to feed children during summer months

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is seeking sponsors to provide free meals to children during the summer through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

“Nevada’s youth need nutritious meals year round, and this program provides food for children outside of the normal school year,” said Donnell Barton, administrator of the Division of Food and Nutrition. “We are urging schools, non-profits, government agencies, Native American tribes and eligible partners to be host sites for serving meals.”

Sponsors may prepare meals or obtain meals from another SFSP sponsor, public or commercial food vendor, a local government agency or a school food service department. All meals must meet USDA’s minimum meal pattern requirements. Past year’s sponsors have included Three Square Food Bank, Food Bank or Northern Nevada, churches, city parks, schools and Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state.

“All families have to do is show up at an open meal site, and their child will be fed, no questions asked,” Barton said.

There are no income requirements or registration. Any child under age 18 may eat.

Agencies interested in being sponsors should contact Karen Vogel at 702-668-4581.

The SFSP helps provide nutritious meals to children in geographic areas where at least 50 percent of students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals. The program works by reimbursing agencies that service these meals to children 18 years or younger during school vacation. The program benefits all children in accordance with federal law and USDA policy, and is prohibited from discrimination the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

For more information about the national Summer Food Service Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.