With nearly half of Colorado families with children 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.
In a survey conducted by Hunger Free Colorado in April 2021, almost half of households with kids and teens (44%) are struggling to have regular access to nutritious food. Additionally, 1 in 6 (16%) are not getting adequate nutrition because there is not enough money for food.
In October 2021, more than 11 million free meals were served to kids and teens, which is a 60% increase from October 2020. Sponsors, sites and state partners are needed to ensure children can continue to receive healthy meals during the summer when school is out of session.
The Summer Meals Program, federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by CDE’s School Nutrition Unit, ensures that youth have access to healthy meals during the summer, which is critical for their health and well-being.
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 providing resources and training to existing and new program sponsors.
“Summer can be a challenging time for youth who have lost access to school breakfast and lunch,” said Marc Jacobson, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado. “Keeping children fueled through the summer months with no-cost, healthy meals ensures they return to school ready to learn and is part of a strong foundation to help them grow and thrive.”
To help ensure summer meals are available in your community, become a program sponsor, site or state partner for the Summer Meals Program. Learn more by visiting the Summer Food Service Program webpage or contacting Megan Johnson at johnson_m@cde.state.co.us or 303-653-6138.
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 Programs:
- Meals are FREE to youth 18 years and younger.
- 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 304-304 or visit www.kidsfoodfinder.org
- Meals served follow USDA nutrition guidelines.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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