Media Contact: Victoria Holmes (202)372-5415; [email protected]
The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announces the availability of federal funds to assist sponsors and meal sites for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), known locally as the DC Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP). The 2015 FSMP application period is February 20 through May 20, 2015. Qualifying organizations can enroll through July to serve as sponsors or sites.
The FSMP reimburses sponsoring organizations that provide eligible nutritious meals during the summer to children ages 18 and younger and adults with developmental disabilities in the District of Columbia in low-income areas of the city. Eligible organizations include public or private nonprofit school food authorities, faith-based and non-profit community-based organizations, housing authorities and other units of local government, as well as public or private nonprofit day or overnight summer camps. In accordance with the USDA guidelines, organizations may be reimbursed for serving up to three eligible meals per day to children ages 18 and younger at approved locations. Organizations may provide meals in the evenings, during the weekends and on holidays as well.
The DC Free Summer Meals Program was created as a safeguard for children in under-served, low-income areas to ensure continued access to good nutrition during long school vacations when access to school provided breakfast and lunch meals are unavailable. The health and wellbeing of children in the District is important; therefore access to nutritious meals should not end when school is out.
All children participating in this program are served meals free of charge and are protected under the Federal and the District of Columbia Protected Classes.
For more information or applications for the DC Free Summer Meals Program, visit dcsummermeals.com or contact:
Elisabeth Sweeting, Program Coordinator
DC Free Summer Meals Program
Division of Wellness and Nutrition Services
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Office (202) 724-7628 or Cell (202) 368-3009
Email: [email protected]
Follow #Meals4DCKids on Facebook and Twitter! twitter.com/OSSEDC; facebook.com/OSSEDC