November 21, 2017
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is seeking sponsors to operate the 2018 Summer Food Service Program in counties across the state. This program is administered by the MDE Office of Child Nutrition.
The Summer Food Service Program provides nutritious meals to children without regard to race, color, national origin, age (within statutory limits), sex, or disability during summer school vacation periods. In most areas, the program operates from June through August.
Public or private nonprofit schools, units of local, municipal, county or state government, and public or private nonprofit organizations may qualify as sponsors of the Summer Food Service Program. Residential summer camps with enrollment including eligible children may also act as program sponsors. Qualified sponsors will receive the maximum “meals time rates” operating and administrative reimbursements. To be eligible, sponsors must: (1) show they are financially and administratively capable of operating the program; (2) provide continuing service to the community; and (3) serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as part of an organized program for enrolled children at camps.
The Office of Child Nutrition (OCN) will be hosting several informational trainings across the state for potential new sponsors (schools, churches, government entities and non-profit organizations). The training dates are:
- Feb. 1 - Jackson
- Feb. 15 - Greenwood
- Feb. 28 - Gulfport
Potential sponsors should contact the Child Nutrition Office immediately to receive registration information for the upcoming trainings. No walk-ins will be allowed. Organizations may contact Mary Clayborne or April Catchings by mail at the MDE Office of Child Nutrition, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205; or by phone at (601) 576-4954; or by email at mclayborne@mdek12.org or acatchings@mdek12.org.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519