Gov proclaims Summer Meals Week

To highlight the availability of summer food programs around the state, Governor Kate Brown has issued a proclamation making July 15-19 Summer Meals Week in Oregon.

While more than 300,000 children are eligible for free or reduced lunch during the school year, only 38,908 participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The Summer Meals Week proclamation and video raises awareness of the availability of food when school is out and highlights the additional education enrichment that often accompanies the meals.

“When school is out during summer, some students may not get the nutrition or learning opportunities they need, causing a ‘summer gap’ that is difficult to make up once school starts again in the fall,” ODE Summer Meals Outreach Coordinator Jessica Visinsky said. “We want to turn that summer gap into a summer boost through access to healthy meals and enrichment programs that support a child’s educational and physical growth. Boosting students over the summer helps us foster equity and excellence for every learner year-round.”

There are more than 875 summer meal sites throughout Oregon offering breakfast, lunch, snacks or supper. To find the one nearest you, call 211 or text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or visit www.summerfoodoregon.org.

You can also find out more about the Summer Food Program on the ODE website.