Despite blowing snow and single-digit temperatures, preparations are underway for the 2011 Summer Food Service Program. The Iowa Department of Education is seeking potential sponsors throughout the state to operate the Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals to children at designated sites during the summer. A webinar is being held next week for organizations interested in learning more about the program.

Sponsors eligible to run the Program include public or private nonprofit schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or residential summer camps; and local, municipal, county, or state government units and public or private nonprofit colleges operating a National Youth Sports Program or Upward Bound Program. In addition, private nonprofit organizations are also eligible to operate the Summer Program in areas that are not currently served by another sponsor.

The Program operates during the summer or any school vacation of at least three weeks duration in schools with a continuous School Year calendar. Meals and snacks are usually served to children in such places as churches, schools, playgrounds, camps, homeless sites, migrant areas and parks.

Rules require that at least 50 percent of the children residing in an area served by an open site, or enrolled in the site, be eligible for free or reduced price meals under National School Lunch Program guidelines.

An informational webinar will be held on Thursday, February 10th from 2:00 – 3:30pm.

Organizations wanting more details about the Summer Food Service Program or to register for the webinar should contact the Bureau of Nutrition, Health and Transportation Services of the Iowa Department of Education by calling 515-281-4760. Information is also available online through the State’s website at http://www.iowa.gov/educate or the USDA website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC, 20250-9410, or call 800/795-3272 or 202/720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.