School’s Out & Free Summer Meals Are In!

As the school year winds down and summer begins, family routines are bound to change. Activities, sports and summer camps take the place of school days. Kids sleep schedules undoubtably shift: later bedtimes and the opportunity to sleep in. Maybe family getaways are on the horizon.

One routine that doesn’t need to change is kids' access to regular, healthy meals. CKC Good Food works with many schools and nonprofit organizations, like Boys & Girls Clubs,  in the Twin Cities to provide free summer meals to kids under 18 throughout the summer. The USDA funds these meals to ensure kids and teens have access to meals during June, July and August.

Summer Food Service Program Specifics:

• Families do not need to apply or demonstrate proof of income.
• Free for all kids and teens under age 18 if your site is within a geographic area designated by the USDA.
• Kids simply show up at your location during our site’s hours of operation for a free meal.
• Sponsors purchase or prepare meals to be served to children at sites. Most sites can serve up to two meals a day: breakfast, lunch/supper or snack.
• All meals must meet USDA meal pattern requirements for food groups and portion size. View the meal patterns at
  https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/FNS/SFSP/fso/.

If your school or organization is providing free meals, there are several resources available to help you get the word out about your meal program:

Cafeteria Connection, our newsletter for parents, "School’s Out & Free Summer Meals Are In!" (includes form field to add your site info)
Cafeteria Connection, "Kids’ Summer Routines Can Include Regular Healthy Meals"
Summer Food, Summer Moves Resource Kit from the USDA
Summer Food Service Program Outreach and Promotion Materials from MDE
Best Practices for Summer Meal Programs from No Kid Hungry

When promoting your meal program, also include the following information to help families find meals when they may be traveling:

• Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners on your smartphone.
• Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone - Twin Cities Metro: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440
• Call the Minnesota Food Helpline at 1-888-711-1141, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Text “food” to 304-304. For Spanish, text “comida” to 304-304.