Summer Food Program Kickoff Event in Baltimore County - post

Summer Food Program Kickoff Event in Baltimore County

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offers free meals to people under 18 and to those over 18 with qualifying disabilities who are enrolled in an LEA program during school breaks. In Maryland, the MSDE Office of School & Community Nutrition supports SFSP implementation and local sponsors.

Child care staff can prepare for summer meal work by enrolling in ChildCareEd courses such as Health & Nutrition Buy Now $24.00 and On My Plate: Children's Nutrition Buy Now $24.00, which cover menu planning, food safety and classroom nutrition activities useful for site operation and family outreach.

No Kid Hungry Maryland will be hosting a kickoff event in Baltimore County

Check the event listing on No Kid Hungry Maryland or contact the Maryland State Department of Education Office of School & Community Nutrition for the current kickoff date, time and location.

WHERE: Baltimore County Public Library

8604 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD, 21133

This event will feature talks by Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski and Jamie Hetzler, Director of Baltimore County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services. Other speakers will include Sonya Alcantara-Antoine, Director of Baltimore County Library, and Qadry Ismail, American Dairy Association Northeast Representative. Representatives from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service & Mid-Atlantic Regional Office are expected to be present. Students will be provided with food during the event and can participate in activities.

What is the Summer Food Service Program and who does it serve?

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federal nutrition program administered at the state level. It reimburses approved sponsors for providing free meals to young people at eligible sites during school breaks. Sponsors include school districts, community organizations and nonprofit program operators. Eligible sites are typically located in areas where children may miss access to regular school meals. Operators are reimbursed by USDA for meals served when they follow program meal patterns and recordkeeping rules. The USDA SFSP page linked earlier provides program basics. Organizers in Maryland also work through the Maryland State Department of Education Office of School & Community Nutrition to implement SFSP locally.

How can Maryland child care programs participate in SFSP or partner with summer meal efforts?

Programs in Maryland that want to participate should begin by contacting the Maryland State Department of Education Office of School & Community Nutrition or their local school nutrition director to discuss sponsor options, site eligibility and training. Participation paths include becoming an SFSP sponsor, hosting a meal site in partnership with a local sponsor, or coordinating outreach so families can find nearby feeding sites. Providers should confirm whether their program type (licensed family child care, center-based care, afterschool provider) has specific enrollment or licensing considerations for feeding children on-site. If you operate in Maryland, document your inquiries with MSDE or your county school nutrition office so you can demonstrate compliance with state program requirements when enrolling as a site or sponsor.

How can Michigan child care programs use CACFP and Summer Meals to keep children nourished?

Michigan child care programs often combine CACFP participation with Summer Meals or SFSP partnerships to reach children when school is out. Programs should contact their local CACFP sponsor or the Michigan child nutrition contact for guidance on whether to enroll as a CACFP summer site, partner with an SFSP sponsor, or run outreach to nearby feeding locations. Practical steps include: 1) surveying family need and mapping accessible sites; 2) deciding whether to host meals on-site or promote nearby feeding sites; 3) completing sponsor or site enrollment paperwork and required trainings; and 4) keeping daily meal counts, sample menus and attendance records for potential reimbursement. For an operational overview targeted to Michigan programs, see our article: How can Michigan child care programs use CACFP and Summer Meals to keep children nourished when school is out?

What practical steps can child care providers take to promote healthy eating during summer programs?

Providers can do several concrete things: plan menus that follow child nutrition standards and include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins; schedule mealtimes as learning moments for social eating and food exploration; involve children in age-appropriate food activities (taste-tests, sensory exploration, simple food preparation); and coordinate with families about meal patterns and food allergies. Use classroom routines to model portion sizes and positive feeding interactions, and integrate nutrition messages into play and curriculum. For menus and classroom ideas, our article Eat, Play, Grow: Essential Nutritional Tips for Growing Minds offers practical activities and curriculum links to reinforce healthy habits.

Which ChildCareEd courses and local resources help staff prepare for summer meal programs?

ChildCareEd courses such as Health & Nutrition Buy Now $24.00, On My Plate: Children's Nutrition Buy Now $24.00, and Healthy Habits From the Start Buy Now $24.00 cover meal planning, safe food practices and classroom strategies for supporting children’s eating behaviors. In addition, several ChildCareEd articles can guide program planning, staffing and family engagement: How can preschool programs build healthy eating habits for young children?, How can Michigan daycares teach healthy eating habits to toddlers?, and Healthy Cooking for Picky Kids contain classroom activities and menu ideas. If you plan field trips or community partnerships that pair nutrition education with outings, see Best Daycare Field Trip Ideas in Maryland and Summer Field Trips for Daycares in Maryland for logistics and safety planning specific to Maryland providers. For staffing and certification questions that affect program eligibility, review Daycare Teacher Certification Requirements in Maryland.

How should Maryland programs document compliance and confirm site eligibility?

Maryland programs should keep written records of all contacts with the MSDE Office of School & Community Nutrition and any local school nutrition office when pursuing SFSP participation. Maintain copies of sponsor/site applications, staff training certificates, sample menus that align with SFSP meal patterns, daily meal counts, and documentation of accommodations for allergies or special diets. If staffing or credential questions affect eligibility, review state-focused guidance such as our Maryland certification overview: Daycare Teacher Certification Requirements in Maryland. Confirm final eligibility and reimbursement rules directly with MSDE before launching service.

Summary: What should I do next?

To act now: (1) Contact MSDE Office of School & Community Nutrition or your local school nutrition office to confirm sponsor options and site eligibility in Maryland; (2) enroll staff in relevant ChildCareEd courses listed above to prepare menus, food-safety practices and curriculum activities; (3) coordinate with families and local partners to promote attendance at your site or nearby meal sites. Keep records of communications with MSDE and your school nutrition office so you can document compliance.

#nutrition #CACFP #summermeals #Maryland #childhealth

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program administered by states. Program operators are reimbursed by the USDA for providing free, nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and youth.