News Article - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 31, 1996
Contact:	Alan Safran

Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program Aims to Serve Record 2 Million Meals to Children

Malden - The Massachusetts Department of Education is looking for public and private non-profit school food authorities, public or private non-profit residential summer camps whose enrollment includes needy children, private non-profit agencies, and units of State, County, Municipal or Local Governments to operate as sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program for children. The program is federally supported and administered by the State Department of Education, and provides free, nutritious meals to children residing in low-income areas at designated sites when school is not in session. Eligible children include those through age 18 and in some instances handicapped persons over 18. In the summer of 1995, over 1,841,557 meals were served to children by program sponsors, up nearly 40% from 1,365,317 just three years ago in 1992. Meals were served at 553 sites, up from 335 three years ago. Also, the Summer Food Service Program brought $3.2 million in federal reimbursements into Massachusetts last summer, a million dollars more than three years ago. "The Summer Program plays an important role in ensuring the health and well being of Massachusetts children and I urge new sites and new agencies to become sponsors so we can reach our goal of serving 2 million meals this summer," said Commissioner of Education Robert V. Antonucci. Participating sponsors will be reimbursed for food service costs for each breakfast, lunch, supper and/or supplement served in accordance with program regulations. Sponsors will also be reimbursed for administrative costs related to planning, organizing and supervising the food service. Additional administrative funds are available to sponsors who have self-preparation or rural sites. To participate in the program, sponsors must show that they are financially and administratively capable of operating a program. Public and private non-profit schools and other applicants which have demonstrated successful program performance in prior years will be given top priority. Also, Food Service Management Companies must be registered if they plan to contract with sponsors of the Summer Program to provide meals. Applications for registration will be supplied to all interested vendors and must be returned to the State Department of Education no later than March 15, 1996, to ensure they are ready to begin work in time for the summer. To request applications or for further information, please write: Massachusetts Department of Education, c/o Nutrition Programs and Services, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, or call 781-338-3000. There are certain income guidelines to determine eligibility for participating children. These are:

Family Size......................... Maximum Annual Gross Income
1 ........................................................ $13,820
2 ........................................................ $18,556
3 ........................................................ $23,292
4 ........................................................ $28,028
5 ........................................................ $32,764
6 ........................................................ $37,500
7 ........................................................ $42,236
8 ........................................................ 45,972
For each additional household member add: $4,736

The Summer Food Service Program is available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.

Last Updated: January 31, 1996