The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that at-risk children and teens have access to healthy meals and snacks during the summer months when school is not in session. During the school year, 22 million children receive free or reduced lunches – and this program was designed to fill the gap during the summer months for these children. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Summer Food Service Program provides breakfast, lunches and snacks in safe, supervised areas such as parks, pools and recreation centers for any child 18 years of age or younger that comes to the location. Southern New Hampshire Services has been a doorway to this program in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties for 16 years, with sites in Manchester, Nashua and the Seacoast.
Here are some menu examples of what you may see at your local Summer Food Service Program site:
- BREAKFAST: whole grain cereal with berries and milk OR whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter, banana and a cup milk
- LUNCH: southwest chicken wrap with black beans, pineapple chunks and a cup of milk OR whole wheat pita pizzas with carrot sticks, fruit and a cup of milk.
Food That’s In, When School Is Out!
Welcome to summer, come join in the fun!
We have free meals to eat in the sun
Everyone is welcome whose 18 and under,
We serve everyday (except when there’s thunder)
We only have a few rules to mind
So listen up closely, they’re easy you’ll find
Please eat with us, don’t take it and run
We came here to sit down with you and have fun
Please throw out your trash, in the bags that we brought
We’ll clean up the earth just like we’ve been taught
Only one meal per person, each time we come by
To make sure all who want one can sit down and try
So just when you thought that your year was a bummer
SFSP is here with free meals all summer