Summer Food Service Program
In its first year, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) has made a significant impact in the communities we serve. With a total of 76,380 meals distributed across six sites from June to mid-August, we were able to support the nutritional needs of children in rural areas who may otherwise struggle to access healthy meals during the summer months.
We oversaw the operation of this program in several parishes, including St. Helena, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge. These sites included libraries, a church, and a food pantry, making it convenient for families to access the meals.
The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank served 7,638 children over the summer through this USDA funded program. Each child received a box containing five days’ worth of meals, including both breakfast and lunch. To ensure variety, the program offered two different menus, so children wouldn’t receive the same meals two weeks in a row. The program received positive feedback from recipients happy with the variety of the food that was provided.
All the meals were shelf-stable but met the nutrition guidelines set by the USDA to ensure children received balanced, nutritious meals even outside the school year.
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, we are excited to continue supporting our communities through our after-school program. This program will ensure that children continue to receive the nutrition they need, helping them to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Help Us Grill Hunger This Summer
