Summer Food Service Programs Announced
USDA summer meals program provides nutritious, free meals across Minnesota
ROSEVILLE, MN – Starting July 1, 2020, Minnesota schools and community organizations will transition to the traditional United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program to provide nutritious, free meals to children under the age of 18. For families who depend on school meals to nourish their children during the school year, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps close the nutrition gap and supports academic achievement by providing access to healthy meals so students can return in the fall ready to learn.
In March, schools and community organizations began the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) under emergency guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March 18 and June 10, more than 22 million meals were provided through the program.
“With new economic hardships due to the pandemic, more Minnesota families than ever need access to nutritious, free meals during the summer months,” said Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker. “The quick work our schools did this spring to create a meal delivery or pick-up program for our students during these uncertain times was incredible. It is critical we build off our momentum to meet the nutritional needs of our students throughout the summer.”
New this summer, SFSP sites will be able to provide meals for pick-up through August 31. Typically, meals must be consumed at the serving location. Each site will have different pick-up and serving options. However, all sites will meet health guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health.
Find summer meal sites by using these resources:
- Download the free Free Meals for Kids app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store or visit the Hunger Impact Partners website. This mobile app shows Minnesota kids where they can find free meals this summer. Information about the app is also available in Hmong, Oromo, Russian, Somali and Spanish.
- Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151 Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Call the 2-1-1 Hotline, or, from your mobile phone in the Twin Cities metro area, call 651-291-0211. In greater Minnesota, call 1-800-543-7709, or TTY at 651-291-8440.
- After July 6, 2020, families can text "food" to 877-877 to find the location providing meals near them in English or text “comida” to 877-877 to receive the information in Spanish.
- After July 6, 2020 families can use the Summer Meal Site Locator tool released by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The Summer Meal Site Locator is also available in Spanish.
- View the SFSP Participation Report to find a list of all Summer Food sites.
- To learn more, please visit the Summer Food Service Program website or contact MDE Food and Nutrition Services (mde.fns@state.mn.us), or call at 651-582-8526 or 1-800-366-8922 (toll-free).
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. View USDA’s nondiscrimination statement.
Contact Wendy Hatch at wendy.hatch@state.mn.us, 651-582-8717 with any questions.
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