Program Overview
The Summer Food Service Program for Virginia provides nutritious meals to children when their school session is off due to summer vacations. These children normally receive food assistance during academic session but due to this program government of Virginia makes sure that they get the meals when they are not attending the school. The program serves children 18 and younger in communities.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), is administered by FNS USDA (Food and Nutrition Service, U.S Department of Agriculture), at federal level and on state level, state education agencies, social services, state health, FNS regional offices or approved sponsors (private non- profit organizations, local government agencies or camps and school districts) take part in the administration of this program. Sponsors enter into agreements with State agencies to run the program.
The program is made available at various locations to eligible families of Virginia which includes parks, playgrounds, community centers, housing authorities, and daycare centers. Mostly the meals are combined with recreational activities and sports for the children.
Program Objectives
Summer Food Service Program for Virginia has been designed to achieve various objectives. The main objective of the program is to provide required nutrition to the children of Virginia when they are not having state sponsored meals. The Summer Food Service began as a preventive measure taken to ensure the provision of nutritionally balanced diet, to the school children during the summer vacation period. The program has proven as effective tool to provide nutritious food to children belonging to lower income class and to reduce the obesity among them. The food provided under the program includes fruits, vegetables, meat, grains ad milk and the food served must meet the quality standards set by the federal nutrition standards. Summer Food Service Program for Virginia helps to meet these objectives:
- Children in low-income areas have free nutritious meals.
- Children are ready to learn during their fall session after eating nutritious meals during summer vacation.
- Provision of healthy food must decrease the obesity level
- Improving the food quality in low budget
- Through the program, individuals and families are given education on how to include healthy food in their diet.
- Living a healthy and self- sustaining lifestyle subsequently increasing the quality of life of the people in the state.
Eligibility Requirements
Only eligible applicants can avail the benefits of the Summer Food Service Program for Virginia. Healthy meals and snacks are served to eligible children and teens at approved sites in high-need areas, to help them get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow, throughout the summer months when they are out of school. At most sites, eligible children get one or two meals each day. However, camps and sites that primarily serve migrant children are served with up to three meals to each child, each day. The eligibility requirements include:
- Children should be the residents of the state of Virginia.
- Children of 18 years of age or younger are eligible for Summer Food Service Program.
- Children with disabilities are eligible to apply
- The income level of the household should be within the income limit brackets specifies by the federal and the state government
If you are eligible for the program benefits, and searching Summer Food Service Program sites near you? You can locate the site through Summer Meal Site Finder mapping tool. You can also text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call 1-800-448 8732 to find a site near you. The number of members in a household and the total household income are also very important factors while considering a candidate for the Summer Food Service Program in the state of Virginia.
An additional amount will be added per additional person if the size of the household exceeds more than 8 people. Also, it’s important to stay in touch with a proper managing agency in your locality to receive accurate guidelines and future policies related to the Summer Food Service Program for the state of Virginia.
How to Apply
There are multiple ways to apply for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Virginia.
- Apply through office
After making sure of your eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Virginia, the next step is the application process. You can make your application by visiting USDAs Summer Meal Site Finder to locate an office near you. Here you will be provided with all the necessary information to apply for the SFSP.
- Apply via Phone Call
To apply for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Virginia, you can call the Virginia Department of Health at 1-800-292-3820. It is important to fill the application as accurately and truthfully as possible because false statements can lead you to penalties. Once the application is submitted you cannot change it hence it is advisable to be careful while filling out the application form.
- For Further Information
For further information about the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Virginia, visit the official website . It provides information regarding the program policies and guidelines to applicants to help them get a better understating of the state programs. For Virginia Summer Meals for Kids program please visit the Virginia Summer Food Service Program page or call the USDA Food & Nutrition Service toll-free at: 1-800-448-8732. Visit Benefits by State for more insights.
