Statewide collaborative effort ensures students have access to meals year-round
DENVER (July 2, 2019) – School is out, and pools are open; two signs that summer has arrived. For children, this is an exciting time of playing with friends at the park and perfecting their cannon ball. Yet, for many Colorado students, summer presents a difficult challenge – how to fill their bellies in the absence of school meals. In response, more than 650 community locations across Colorado are offering fun activities and free, nutritious meals and snacks to kids and teens throughout the summer.
The summer meal program, federally known as the Summer Food Service Program, is funded by the USDA and was established to serve as a nutritional safeguard for youth when school is out. In Colorado, it is administered by the Colorado Department of Education and supported by Hunger Free Colorado, as well as hundreds of Colorado organizations that are providing summer meals in their communities and neighborhoods. This summer, youth up to 18 years old can get nutritious meals and snacks from a variety of neighborhood locations at no cost.
“We know access to healthy food sets youth up for better health and habits as adults and is a strong foundation for overall well-being,” said Marc Jacobson, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado. “The summer meals program ensures kids and teens are fueled while school is out, so they can remain active, healthy and ready to learn.”
Community locations such as recreation centers, churches, parks and schools and offer free breakfast, lunch, supper and/or snacks that meet federal nutrition guidelines, as well as fun, engaging activities for kids and teens to exercise their minds and their bodies. There are no income or registration requirements for participation.
“The summer meal program ensures that kids and teens have access to healthy meals during the summer which is critical for their health and well-being.” said Ashley Moen, summer meals program supervisor with the Colorado Department of Education. “Last summer, over 1.5 million meals were served, and we hope to see even greater numbers this summer based on sponsors’ innovative and collaborative strategies to reach more children across the state.”
Thanks to the involvement of partners across the state, Colorado has been able to open and expand meal locations for 2019, particularly in rural areas.
Colorado families can find nearby summer meals by calling the statewide food resource hotline at (855) 855- 4626, texting “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or by using an interactive map at KidsFoodFinder.org.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Media Contact: Ellie Agar, Director of Communications, (720) 464-3620