Let’s Continue to Feed Kids This Summer
Michigan Department of Education Press Release LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is looking for community members, partner organizations, program sponsors, and others to help support the health and wellness of Michigan children and spread the word about the availability of nutritious meals for children all summer.
Even during the winter months, Meet Up and Eat Up Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors are hard at work planning and preparing to serve meals to children in their communities.
“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of child nutrition programs like the Summer Food Service Program and the programs’ ability to meet the needs of our children,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “MDE, our schools, and our community organizations have done everything in their power to ensure that if a child needs a meal, a child can get a meal. Having access to adequate nutrition all year long is so important and the SFSP plays a vital role.”
During the summer of 2022, healthy meals were being served daily at approximately 1,600 sites throughout the state. MDE appreciates the hard work and effort of food service staff and sponsors to ensure children have access to quality nutrition all summer.
The Michigan Department of Education encourages all school sponsors with eligible sites to continue providing meals during the summer months. Children and families rely on programs like the SFSP year-round.
“We are working to increase the awareness of the program’s availability, get more community members involved, and provide meals to as many children as we can across the state,” Dr. Rice said.
Program success is a team approach. Helping sponsors by highlighting the Meet Up and Eat Up program in their communities is one way to assist. Community partners can also help by identifying the best site locations, marketing and advertising the program, and contributing to program costs. If community partners use social media to publicize the SFSP, more families can connect to summer programming and nutritious meals.
To find a SFSP site in your community, visit the Meet Up and Eat Up SFSP site locator map at www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup. All site information (mealtimes, days open, and serving dates) is updated regularly throughout the summer months.
How can you make a difference? Spread the word! Sponsor a program! Host a site!
For more information about how you can help with the Meet Up and Eat Up SFSP this summer, please contact MDE or call 517-241-537. Visit SFSP for more information.
The SFSP is administered by MDE through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is available to children 18 and under regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, or disability.
