Children across Georgia Have Access to Free Meals this Summer
The Summer Food Service Program is Available to Children throughout the State
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has announced that free meals are available for children 18 and under (and some eligible adults) throughout the state through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is administered in Georgia by DECAL.
More than 900,000 of Georgia’s school-aged children are eligible for free or reduced lunch when school is in session. The SFSP provides access to free meals in low-income areas during the summer months when students are out of school and may not have access to well-balanced meals throughout the day.
Parents and children can find area sites where meals will be served by:
- visiting DECAL’s website at decal.ga.gov/Nutrition/Search.aspx,
- calling 1-855-550-SFSP (7377), or
- texting “FOODGA” to 877-877 (standard messaging and data rates apply).
In addressing the importance of the SFSP, Falita Flowers, DECAL’s director of Nutrition Services, said, “The Summer Food Service Program fills a critical need during the summer when children are out of school by providing free nutritious meals. For children who receive free breakfast and lunch during the school year, this program fills the gap and contributes to their overall health and well-being.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and employment activities.)
To file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form.
You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
By fax: 202-690-7442
Or by email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339, or 800-845-6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov
Lynn PeisnerGet Georgia Reading Campaign Communications Associate
404-739-0489
lynn@gafcp.org
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system.
The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.