Summer Meals
Summer is a critical time for children’s academic and physical well-being. During the summer children are at a higher risk of both obesity and hunger. Summer meals programs, which include the Summer Food Services Program and the Seamless Summer Option/National School Lunch Program, can become an important source of nutritious food for children and youth during this time. Offering free, nutritious meals also provides an incentive for children to participate in summer enrichment programs, which means that children are not only well-fed, but in a safe environment engaged in academic and recreational activities. Because summer nutrition is so important, Share Our Strength invested more than $1.8 million in 40 states to help increase the number of kids getting summer meals in 2012.
To increases access to summer meals programs, No Kid Hungry works with public and private organizations at the state and local level to:
- Increase program awareness through summer meals marketing and outreach campaigns;
- Increase the number of meal sites or capacity of existing sites in underserved areas through outreach to potential sites or sponsors and by providing grants to support program startup or expansion;
- Help families access meals through a texting program that shares site locations along with operational hours and contact details;
- Invest in summer programming to attract more kids to meal sites;
- Implement mobile meals programs that bring food to children in places where they already congregate.
Sodexo Foundation Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit
With support from the Sodexo Foundation, Share Our Strength has developed this toolkit to help you get the word out about summer meals programs in your city or state. The toolkit has simple instructions and easy-to-use templates to help your organization work with the media to promote summer meals programs, as well as outreach materials that you can tailor and use in your community.
Guides/Toolkits
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Montana Summer Food Service Program Activity Toolkit
This activity toolkit contains an array of activities, volunteer networks, and community partnerships to conduct within your Summer Food Service Program site. Volunteer networks are included to assist you in recruiting volunteers. Community organizations and partners are listed to provide additional support and enhance your Summer Food Service Program. The activities provided are not formal curriculum. They can be used at any time and can be manipulated to best suit your needs.
Created by: No Kid Hungry Montana
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Montana%20Summer%20Food%20Activity%20Toolkit.pdf -
Summer Food Service Program Skills Assessment
In conjunction with the evaluation of Colorado No Kid Hungry Campaign’s 2012 summer meal expansion program efforts, Mission Spark developed two tools to assist the campaign in 2013 expansion efforts. The Summer Food Service Program Skills Assessment is designed to help organizations identify all activities associated with summer meals expansion program efforts and identify the skill sets needed to accomplish these activities and effectively leverage the assets of staff, non-profit partners, community leaders, and government officials.
Created by: Mission Spark and Share Our Strength
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Food%20Service%20Program%20Skills%20Assessment.docx -
Summer Meals Site Capacity Evaluation Tool
In conjunction with the evaluation of Colorado No Kid Hungry Campaign’s 2012 summer meal expansion program efforts, Mission Spark developed two tools to assist the campaign in 2013 expansion efforts. The Summer Meals Site Capacity Evaluation is designed to help summer meals consultants evaluate and improve site capacity. By tracking and rating site features, such as quality of food, perception of safety, and accessibility, consultants can easily identify which sites need more technical assistance to ensure a successful summer meals program.
Created by: Mission Spark and Share Our Strength
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Meals%20Site%20Capacity%20Evaluation.xlsx -
A Summer Food Guide: The step-by-step guide to running the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program in Oregon
This guide covers a wide range of SFSP topic that will be help to individuals that are new to the SFP.
Created By: Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/OR%20Summer-Food-Guide.pdf -
Sodexo Foundation Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit
Thanks to the generous support of the Sodexo Foundation, Share Our Strength has developed this toolkit to help you get the word out through the media and outreach materials about summer meals programs in your city or state. The toolkit has simple instructions and easy-to-use templates to help your organization work with the media to promote summer meals programs, as well as outreach materials that you can tailor and use in your community.
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Sodexo%20Foundation%20Summer%20Meals%20Outreach%20Toolkit_011613.pdf -
Overview of Summer Meals Summits
This brief overview describes how gatherings called Summer Meal Summits can help prepare a No Kid Hungry campaign and/or community to coordinate efforts and gives examples from campaigns in Maryland and Colorado.
Created by Share Our Strength Center for Best Practices.
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Meals%20Summits%20Overview.pdf -
Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Tool Kit
The Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Tool Kit has been developed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Child Nutrition
Outreach Program to help sponsors with program logistics such as providing meals for sites,claiming reimbursement,and promoting the Summer Food Service
Program.Created By: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Child Nutrition Outreach Program at Project Bread
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/MASS%20SFSP_sponsor_kit-FINAL-1.pdf
Memos
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Non-Congregate Feeding Demo for Outdoor Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat
On February 15, 2013, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced a new demonstration project allowing non-congregate feeding at certain outdoor summer meal sites experiencing excessive heat for summer 2013. The purpose of this memorandum is to include “frequently asked questions” regarding the administration of the demonstration project.
Created by: The United States Department of Agriculture
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/FNS%20non%20congregate%20feeding%20demo%20memo%20REVISED%20May%202013.pdf -
Help End Summer Childhood Hunger: Vending to Summer Meals Programs
This brief resource is designed to help introduce restaurants to the idea of vending through the Summer Food Service Program. It includes information about summer meals, steps to take to get involved, and an overview of meal patterns used in the program.
Created by: Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Restaurants%20as%20Summer%20Vendors%20Handout.pdf -
Summer Meals Memo: Restaurants as Vendors
As you work to expand access to summer meals in your community, Share Our Strength encourages you to consider reaching out to restaurants as potential vendors. This memo can tell you more about the opportunity, after which “Help End Summer Childhood Hunger: Vending to Summer Meals Programs” can be a resource to share with restaurants.
Created By: Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Restaurants%20as%20Summer%20Meals%20Vendors%20Memo_0.pdf -
North Carolina Summer Meals Waiver 2012
The North Carolina DHHS Division of Public Health submited this waiver in partnership with No Kid Hungry North Carolina and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The waiver allows schools in eleven districts to pilot service models in which schools in good standing act as sponsors through SFSP without have to complete all components of the application and with monitoring being conducted through the school system.
Created by North Carolina DHHS Division of Public Health
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Waiver%20Approval-NC-SFSP-SFA%20Sponsor-020712%203.30.2012.pdf
Outreach
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Michigan Summer Meals Flyer
In 2013 Michigan No Kid Hungry partnered with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Michigan Department of Human Services and Education and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to launch a summer-long, statewide campaign encouraging children to "Meet Up & Eat Up!" at hundreds of summer foods sites in Michigan. This flyer shows the design used to advertise summer meals and the texting option to find a nearby open site.
Created by Michigan No Kid Hungry
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Michigan%20Meet%20Up%20and%20Eat%20Up%20Summer%20Meals%20Flyer.pdf -
Online Scavenger Hunt
With funding from Walmart, the Florida Partnership developed an online Scavenger Hunt to draw young smart phone users to summer meals information.
Created By: Florida Impact
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-ScavengerHuntFlyerFlorida.pdf -
Summer Food Service Program: Outreach Toolkit for Sponsors and Feeding Sites
The SFSP Outreach Toolkit will help sponsors and sites create outreach materials.
Created By: USDA Summer Food Service Program
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/USDA%20Summer%20Food%20Service%20Program%20Outreach%20Toolkit%20for%20Sponsors.pdf
Reports/Case Studies
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Afterschool Alliance- Special Report on Summer: Missed Opportunities, Unmet Demand May 2010
The data for America After 3PM Special Report on Summer was collected in the 2009 America After 3PM study, which surveyed nearly 30,000 households. This report presents general findings and breaks them out by ethnicity and socio-economic status as measured by eligibility for free and reduced price lunch, while also offering data on demand and support for summer learning programs in each state.
The report highlights questions such as:
• What are kids doing after school?
• How many kids are in afterschool programs?
• How many kids go home alone?
• What is the demand for afterschool programs?Created By: Afterschool Alliance
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Special_Report_on_Summer.pdf -
Colorado Summer Evaluation Case Study
In Summer 2012, Share Our Strength hired Mission Spark to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Colorado No Kid Hungry Campaign’s summer meals expansion program efforts. The aim of the evaluation was to determine what strategies and tactics are most effective to increase participation in the summer meals program as well as what processes and management systems lead to the best outcomes.
Created by: Share Our Strength
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Colorado%20Summer%20Evaluation%20Case%20Study.pdf -
Tackling Summer Hunger- 2012
In 2012, No Kid Hungry campaigns in 16 states and cities worked in their communities to increase access to summer meals programs. While results varied across campaigns, there was an overall increase in meals served. In states and cities with No Kid Hungry campaigns there was a collective increase of nearly 4.1 million meals served through the Summer Food Service Program above 2011 levels.
This report provides details about the summer meals program and how Share Our Strength and our partners are tackling summer hunger.
Created by: Share Our Strength
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2012_SummerMealsBrochure.pdf -
North Carolina Summer Meals Waiver Case Study
As part of a joint effort to increase access to summer meals in the state, No Kid Hungry North Carolina, the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Health and Human Services requested a waiver from USDA to simplify the application and reporting process for school districts to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for providing free summer meals to kids. This case study highlights the development and implementation and well as the challenges and benefits of the waiver process.
Created by: Share Our Strength Staff member Kim Caldwell
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/NC%20Waiver%20Case%20Study.pdf -
Summer Food Marketing Results Florida 2012
An overview of the Summer Meals marketing and outreach strategy for Florida in 2012.
Created By: The Florida Partnership to End Childhood Hunger
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Food%20Marketing%20Results.ppt -
School's Out...Who Ate? CFPA 2011
An annual report published by California Food Policy Advocates, a statewide nonprofit policy and advocacy organization. The report includes participation data for all 58 counties, which can be found here. The report also includes federal, state, and local recommendations for policymakers to close the summer nutrition gap.
Created By: California Food Policy Advocates
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/CFPA%20Schools%20Out%20FullReport-2011.pdf -
School’s Out Who Ate? A Report on Summer Nutrition in California 2012
School’s Out… Who Ate? examines statewide trends in summer meal participation and provides county-level data. The report also offers federal, state, and local policy recommendations aimed at closing the summer nutrition gap.
Created by: California Food Policy Advocates
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/SOWA-FullReport-2012.pdf -
Summertime Hunger in Washington State: December 2009
This report outlines the need for summer meals, the consequences of continuing to allow the number of children served to drop, the benefits of summer meals for kids, and ways we can bring together federal, state, local, private, and public resources to feed more hungry kids.
Created By: The Children's Alliance
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Hunger%20in%20Washington%20State.pdf -
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2011
Provides the latest summer meals participation data at the state and national level.
Created By: Food Research and Action Center
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/FRAC%20Summer%20Meals%20Report%202011.pdf
Other
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PHFO Summer Sustainability Assessment
Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon created this Summer Meals Sustainability Assessment worksheet to consider the long-term effectiveness of their summer meals grantees. Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon also uses this form to assess capacity for summer sites to implement the Afterschool Meals Program.
Created by: Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/PHFO%20Summer%20Sustainability%20Assessment.doc -
North Carolina Summer Meals Waiver Goes National- Talking Points
Outcome and talking points for recent North Carolina summer meals waiver in which No Kid Hungry North Carolina worked with state agencies Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to developed to make it easier for schools to use SFSP to serve summer meals, which brings in a higher level of reimbursement.
Created by: No Kid Hungry
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Talking%20Points%20NC%20Waiver.pdf -
Healthy Menus for Summer Meals
In 2011, The City of San Antonio’s Metro Health Department and Parks and Recreation Department teamed together to implement a healthier lunch and snack menu for the Summer Feeding program. Approximately 7,000-10,000 children are fed from this menu.
In meeting the USDA Summer Food Service Program requirements three primary areas were identified to further enhance the nutritional quality of the menu; increased whole grains, reduced saturated fat content, decreased sodium content. These changes occurred with no additional cost.
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Healthy%20menus%20for%20summer%20meals.pdf
PSA's/Videos
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Customizable Summer Meals Radio PSA Featuring Jeff Bridges
This summer meals radio PSA features Jeff Bridges and can be customized with a phone number or website. Contact kdieterich@strength.org for information on how to customize this PSA.
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/No%20Kid%20Hungry%2020%20Summer.mp3 -
NBA Player Nick Anderson Florida PSA
Nick Anderson Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-PSA-NickAnderson_0.mp4 -
NBA Player José Pañeda Florida PSA (Spanish)
José Pañeda Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-PSA-JosePaneda.mp4 -
NBA Player Joey Colon Florida PSA (Spanish)
Joey Colon Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-PSA-JoeyColon.mp4 -
NBA Player Chris Duhon Florida PSA
Chris Duhon Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-PSA-ChrisDuhon.mp4 -
NFL Player Anquan Boldin Florida PSA
Anquan Boldin Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2010-PSA-AnquanBoldin.mp4 -
NBA Player Alonzo Mourning Florida PSA
Alonzo Mourning Florida PSA to alert families to where they can find information about the nearest summer nutrition sites.
Provided by: Florida Impact and The Summer BreakSpot
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/2011-PSA-AlonzoMourning.mp4 -
PSA Baltimore Radio Personality
Summer meals PSA featuring a local Maryland radio personality.
Created By: Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry Maryland
http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/30s%20PSA_Baltimore%20Radio%20Personality.mp3
