With more than 50% of Colorado families struggling to put food on the table, the Colorado Department of Education is partnering with Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger and Hunger Free Colorado to increase access to the Summer Meals Program.
According to a recent poll by Hunger Free Colorado, more than 50% of families are currently struggling to put food on the table. Additionally, a fifth of Colorado’s children are not getting adequate nutrition because there is not enough money for food.
Sponsors, sites and state partners are needed to ensure children can continue to receive healthy meals during the summer when many children don’t have access to school lunch, breakfast or after-school meals.
The Summer Meals Program, federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the CDE School Nutrition Unit, ensures that youth have access to healthy meals during the summer, which is critical for their health and well-being.
This summer, it’s more important than ever to invest in Colorado’s youth by ensuring access to nutritious, no-cost meals across the state through collaboration, innovation and collective action. CDE’s School Nutrition Unit, the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger and Hunger Free Colorado are working together to expand the number of youth who are served by the Summer Meals Program by increasing awareness of the program and provide resources and training to existing and new program sponsors.
“We know access to healthy food sets youth up for better health as adults and is a strong foundation for overall well-being,” said Marc Jacobson, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado. “Now is the time to strengthen and expand programs as an investment in our families and communities.”
To help ensure summer meals are available in your community, become a program sponsor, site or state partner for the Summer Meals Program. To learn more, visit the Summer Food Service program webpage or contact Ashley Moen at moen_a@cde.state.co.us or 303-868-7192.
To learn more about the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, visit EndHungerCo.org.
To learn more about Hunger Free Colorado, visit HungerFreeColorado.org.
About the Summer Meals Program
This summer, many meal sites will offer grab and go, curbside pick-up or meal delivery so kids and teens have access to a healthy meal while minimizing potential exposure to COVID-19. Summer Meal Program details:
- Meals are FREE to youth 18 years and younger. Parents or guardians may pick up meals on behalf of their children.
- Parents do not need to apply to the program for their children to get free summer meals.
- Organizations that can administer the Summer Meals Program include schools, non-profit organizations, government entities, camps, universities, and community and faith-based organizations.
- Parents and youth can find summer meal sites by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 or visit www.kidsfoodfinder.org.
- Meals served follow USDA nutrition guidelines.
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