Sponsors sought for 2025 Summer Food Service Program

The Idaho Department of Education is seeking sponsors for the 2025 Summer Food Service Program.

The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to children 1 to 18 years of age by operating sites located in low-income areas during the summer months.

In Region 1, the program lacks sponsors in Boundary and Shoshone counties. More coverage is needed in Benewah County.

All sponsors, new and returning, are required to attend training at a location most convenient for them and must complete the application process. The 2025 training schedule for sponsors is as follows:

The Idaho Foodbank reports that food insecurity, meaning limited or uncertain access to the food needed to meet basic needs, in Idaho varies statewide, but is often higher in rural areas. During the summer months, the challenge of reaching children and families in need of support increases. The SFSP helps to bridge this gap by providing children with nutritious meals while school is not in session.

The Idaho Department of Education collaborates with community partners to provide meals to children during the summer months. Sponsors are reimbursed for each qualifying breakfast, lunch, snack and/or supper they serve at approved sites.

Sponsors can be, but are not limited, to public or private nonprofit schools; public or private nonprofit residential camps; local, municipal, county, tribal or state governments; public or private nonprofit colleges or universities that participate in the National Youth Sports Program; and Upward Bound programs, religious organizations, libraries and private nonprofit organizations.

 “I encourage any potential sponsors thinking about signing up to consider how impactful this service can be for kids, particularly in our state’s rural and remote areas,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.

Sponsors are sought all across the state, especially in rural areas where coverage gaps exist. Sponsors in rural areas also have the option to participate in non-congregate meal services, allowing for meals to be picked up and consumed offsite.

SFSP 101 training will be held on March 18, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Time, Lewiston; March 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mountain Time, Pocatello; and March 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mountain Time, Meridian.

SFSP rural non-congregate training will take place on March 4, 8 a.m. to noon Mountain Time, virtual; and March 6, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time, virtual.

Application information will be provided to eligible sponsors and is due to the Idaho Department of Education by May 2. Department approval is required prior to program operation.

For more information on becoming an SFSP sponsor or a feeding site, call 208-332-6828 or visit sde.idaho.gov/cnp/sfsp.