Children who rely on free or reduced-price meals as their main source of nutrition during the academic school year shouldn’t go hungry during the summer break. Our Food Services will help fill that void by providing meals to underprivileged youth at no cost via the Summer Food Services Program (SFSP).

SFSP provides a nutritious meal – including two ounces of protein, two servings of fruit/vegetables, one serving of bread, and eight ounces of milk – to youth 18 years and younger at selected sites throughout Fresno County. Sites are located in needy areas where 50% or more of the children residing in the area are eligible for free or reduced price school meals. The meals prepared and provided by EOC meet strict United States Department of Agriculture and California Department of Education nutrition guidelines.

“Amid double digit unemployment rates, the water crisis on the west side, and the economy, we are anticipating our sites to be very busy this summer,” says Gary Joseph, Food Services Director. “Parents facing financial hardships can rest assured that their children can receive a nutritious meal during the summer weeks.”

According to a 2008 county profile compiled by California Food Policy Advocates, in Fresno County, 28.6% of children ages 0 – 17 years live in poverty. Though 111,053 Fresno County youth are eligible to participate in the Summer Food Services Program, only 18,633 take advantage of the program.

Our Agency began administering the Summer Food Services Program in 1991, with only two sites. Now 18 years later, the program has expanded to 70 sites, including 49 urban and 21 rural locations. The Summer Food Service Program is a federal program funded by the USDA and administered by the California Department of Education.