Program Served Millions of Additional Meals in 2020
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Holly Lawson
Deputy Director of Communications
(317) 232-0536
hlawson2@doe.in.gov
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) encourages schools and qualified community organizations to participate in the 2021 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), following strong program growth in 2020.
“I’m thankful for the many Hoosiers who are working hard through the Summer Food Service Program to make sure Indiana’s most vulnerable children don’t go hungry,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “I encourage all eligible schools and local organizations to keep the momentum rolling by participating in this program to serve your communities.”
The SFSP provides nutritious meals to children ages 18 and under in the summer when school is out of session. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved waivers last year allowing organizations to continue the SFSP beyond the summer and through the 2020-2021 school year. That led the SFSP program to grow dramatically in 2020 – with over 16 million meals served at 976 sites through October 2020 (the most recent data available).
In summer 2020 alone, sponsoring organization served about 5.5 million additional meals at about 400 additional sites across Indiana compared to 2019:
- June/July 2019 – 2.5 million meals at more than 1,300 meal sites throughout Indiana.
- June/July 2020 – 8 million meals at more than 1,700 meal sites throughout Indiana.
Created in 1968, the SFSP is funded and operated by the USDA and administered by the states. Participating organizations must adhere to all USDA regulations. The program is funded through a reimbursement based on the number of meals served to eligible participants. Any student ages 18 or under is eligible to receive meals through the SFSP by visiting a meal site.
Participating sponsors – including eligible school corporations, local governments and qualified non-profit agencies – are encouraged to continue their meal service for summer 2021 to accommodate need in their communities. They’re also encouraged to consider expanding operations to areas where access to food and transportation may be limited to ensure continuous meal service to all low-income children.
IDOE will host multiple required webinars for new and returning sponsors. More information is available here. To apply, sponsors must submit their application by April 30 to Tina Skinner at IDOE.
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: How to File a Complaint, 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:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.