Rebecca McClellan, Chair | Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado Department of Education has announced the opening of 635 summer meal sites across the state, offering free meals to all youth aged 18 and younger. This initiative aims to provide nutritional support during the summer months when schools are closed.
The Summer Meals Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and managed by the Colorado Department of Education’s School Nutrition Unit, collaborates with community-based sponsors. Last year, these sponsors distributed over 1.9 million meals to young people in Colorado.
Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova emphasized the program's importance: “Many Colorado children rely on their schools for access to food, and our Summer Meals Program provides a critical resource for children and families during the summer months. We are grateful to our 83 community partners for stepping up to serve them.”
Youth can receive meals without registration, identification, or proof of income or enrollment. The program is facilitated by 82 community organizations operating meal sites statewide. In rural areas, some sites offer options for taking meals home or providing home delivery services.
Various entities such as schools, nonprofits, government agencies, camps, universities, and community- or faith-based organizations can participate as meal providers. New participants can join throughout the summer by partnering with existing providers. All meals adhere to USDA nutrition guidelines.
For more information on finding a nearby meal site, visit www.kidsfoodfinder.org.
Additionally, there is a Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program that provides $120 per eligible school-aged child for groceries through EBT cards. This program is led by the Colorado Department of Human Services with assistance from CDE. Further details are available at https://cdhs.colorado.gov/summer-ebt.
This institution promotes equal opportunity access to its programs.
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