Tulare County Office of Education - Migrant Education Program, Region VIII

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Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

The Migrant Education Program, Region VIII administers the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The program has serviced between 23 and 94 sites during the years of 1992 through 2003. An estimate of 31,564 lunches were served in June, 18,302 in July, and 2,841 in August of 2003 in Tulare and Kings counties. The SFSP will operate approximately 30 sites during the 2004 Summer Program.

The service sites have included migrant summer schools, district summer schools, churches, labor camps, and recreation/community/youth centers.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that reimburses sponsors for administrative and operational costs associated with providing meals to children 18 years of age and younger, during periods when they are out of school for fifteen (15) or more continuous school days.

During the school year, needy children are eligible to receive at least one nutritious meal while attending school. When school is out, children often miss this nutritious meal due to family limited budgets or other circumstances. The SFSP fills this gap. It is documented that a well-balanced diet is important to a child's growth and development.

The meals must follow a specified meal plan that includes milk, fruits, vegetables or juice; grain products (cereal, muffins, etc.) and a meat or meat alternate (ground turkey, eggs, cheese, beans, etc.). The quantity of each item depends on the meal being served, breakfast, lunch or snack. The SFSP allows most sponsors to serve two meals or a meal and a snack.

The federal government establishes reimbursement rates for operational and administrative costs. Reimbursement is based on the meal served and the number of children who participated.

Benefits of the program are:

Children are able to maintain an adequate level of nourishment and health that allows them to be ready to learn as soon as school begins after the summer break.
Parents know that their children are receiving nutritious meals and are involved in healthful activities.
Schools, local government units and private non-profit organizations receive federal money to fight hunger in their community.

For additional information contact Joe Calvo at (559) 651-3035.

Tulare County Office of Education
Migrant Education Program Region VIII
7000 Doe Avenue, Suite B
Visalia, CA 93291

Tony Velásquez, Administrator
(559) 651-3035
fax: (559) 651-1701

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