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Release No. 0187.06

Contact: Jean Daniel (202) 720-7711
Susan Acker (703) 305-NEWS

Printable version graphic  Printable version  

Conner Proclaims Summer Food Service Program Week

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2006 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today proclaimed June 4-10 as Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Week.

“The availability of nutritious meals is essential to help low-income children throughout the summer months when they are out of school,” said Conner. “The President’s HealthierUS initiative aims to help all Americans take steps to improve personal health and fitness and the Summer Food Service Program is a vital link between good nutrition and exercise for children during the summer.”

The SFSP ensures that as schools let out for the summer each year, children in low-income communities continue to receive nutritious meals. During the school year, millions of children depend on the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which provide free or reduced-price meals to low-income children.

SFSP provides funding to State agencies to reimburse for meals provided through local sponsors supervising summer activity programs, such as campsites and school recreation programs. About 115.5 million meals were served in the summer of 2005.

USDA officials will highlight the program’s contribution during activities surrounding National Hunger Awareness Day on June 6. On June 8, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Kate Coler will join Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and others to launch this year’s Summer Food Service Program Week at Langley Park McCormick Elementary School in Hyattsville, Md.

Summer Food Service Week is intended to raise awareness of program benefits and to promote wider participation of communities, encourage sponsoring organizations to participate and, most importantly, to increase the numbers of children receiving nutritious meals.

Sponsors or organizations wishing to take advantage of this valuable resource to provide summer meals to children in the local community should contact the state education department.

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