LIHU‘E — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is seeking sponsor organizations on all islands to help provide children in low-income communities with free meals during the summer months.
There are two sponsoring organizations on Kaua‘i: Malama Kaua‘i and county Department of Parks &Recreation.
While the state Department of Education looks for more sponsors, funding to continue the USDA summer food program is in limbo.
“We have nationwide waivers in place that allow it to happen. They expire on June 30. So, this program will run again until June 30. But we’re hoping that the waivers actually get extended until the end of summer at the very least,” said state DOE Child Nutrition Programs Specialist Daniel Sutcharitkul.
The county plans to continue to provide six weeks of lunches for approximately 450 keiki at nine Summer Fun sites,
including the newly added Koloa Neighborhood Center site. The program will run through July.
Last year, funds received from the USDA covered $52,200 of meal costs, according to Cindy Duterte, county chief of recreation. The county covered $8,287 of the total food costs.
One condition of the funding is that meals are provided in a congregate setting.
Malama Kaua‘i has a waiver from that provision to deliver meals to certain children who can’t get to congregate sites.
Delivered meals are especially important in rural areas.
“There are a lot of kids who end up staying at home, whose parents are at work and can’t drive them back and forth to go to congregate meal sites every day,” said Malama Kaua‘i Executive Director Megan Fox in a written statement.
Last year, Malama Kaua‘i delivered 87,450 meals that included local fruits and vegetables, a protein (local beef from Maluhia Cattle Co. cooked by Gina’s, canned tuna/chicken or peanut butter), a carbohydrate (local poi or bread) and milk. Over 40 volunteers were involved.
This summer, Malama Kaua‘i hopes to expand programing to also offer meals in a congregate setting, but July’s food deliveries will depend on the wavier being extended.
Summer-food-service programs provide a vital aid to kids who depend on up to two meals a day at school during the academic year.
“Summer-food programs that provide meals for keiki during the summer break are needed more than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities,” said state DOE Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi in a press release.
“Balanced meals help to keep students learning and physically active, and we cannot thank our generous partners enough for their continued commitment and support through this difficult time,” said Hayashi.
To qualify for funding, sponsor organizations must be nonprofits located near a school with a population of at least 50% of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, complete an application and provide meals that contain the USDA’s required nutrition components. Sponsors receive $5.34 cents per lunch provided.
The Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Programs will conduct virtual workshops for new and returning sponsors in March. Personnel responsible for administering the SFSP will be required to attend.
For more information about the SFSP, contact Sutcharitkul, 808-587-3600 or daniel.sutcharitkul@k12.hi.us.
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Laurel Smith, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0424 or lsmith@thegardenisland.com.
