DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today announced more than 540 sites across Iowa are serving free, nutritious meals to children through the Seamless Summer Option and Summer Food Service Programs.
These federally funded programs, which first began as a pilot program in 1968, are open to all children ages 18 and under in a variety of convenient locations across the state, including schools, churches, community centers, parks, libraries and camps.
The Oskaloosa Community School District is sponsoring 6 meal pickup locations in the area: the University Park Community Center, Webster Elementary, the Oskaloosa Public Library, College Avenue Friends Church Park, Oskaloosa Middle School, and Oskaloosa Elementary School.
Families can find their local summer meal site through the following options:
- Call for assistance
- 2-1-1
- 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479), English
- 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), Spanish
- Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/
summer/sitefinder
“These summer nutrition programs help ensure children in low-income areas who rely on school meals during the school year don’t go hungry during the summer months,” said Kala Shipley, bureau chief for nutrition and health services at the Iowa Department of Education. “Last summer, more than 3 million meals and snacks were served to children and we are excited to expand access to healthy meals this summer at convenient locations across Iowa communities.”
The Department administers these programs to maintain children’s access to healthy meals during out-of-school months. The Healthy Kids Iowa pilot, launched by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, builds on this effort by offering eligible families up to $40 per child per month in fresh, nutritious foods throughout the summer.
“In partnership with our dedicated network of community-based providers, the Healthy Kids Iowa initiative builds upon our well-established summer feeding programs,” said McKenzie Snow, Director of the Iowa Department of Education. “Together, we can grow the reach and impact of our vital child nutrition programs, providing young Iowans with no-cost, healthy meals and food options that best meet the needs of our families.”
Additional information for the Summer Food Service Program and Summer Seamless Option are found on the Department’s website. More information on the Healthy Kids Iowa pilot program can be found on the Iowa Health and Human Services website.
