Beat Food Scarcity: Join Our Summer Food Program Kicking Off This June!

Free Summer Meals for Kids in Idaho

When school ends for the summer, many children face a lack of nutritious food. To help bridge this gap, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Education kick off the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in June. This program offers free meals to all kids under 18.

Mary Ann Liby, the SFSP coordinator, emphasizes the program’s importance: “It really replaces access to nutrition for the children in our state.” Idaho has numerous sponsors joining in this initiative, including local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of the Magic Valley.

Jake Brasil, director of the Boys and Girls Club Twin Falls Unit, shares, “The program starts on June 9. We have several locations in Twin Falls. One is at Frontier Park, right across from our club, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.” They also provide snacks from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. This year, a new site has been added to help more families access meals. Brasil notes the added location at Harry Barry Park will ease some stress for families struggling to afford meals.

The club also offers engaging activities. “We call them enrichment activities,” Liby explains. These help kids learn about healthy eating while staying active.

For those living outside Twin Falls, the USDA will introduce a “Summer Meals for Kids” site finder starting June 2. Liby explains, “Just enter your address, zip code, or city, and it will show the nearest summer meal site.”

Meal Sites and Timing

Here are some key locations and schedules:

• Boys & Girls Club of Magic Valley: 999 Frontier Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301
  June 9 – August 8, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Frontier Park: 1015 Frontier Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301
  June 9 – August 8, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Harry Barry Park: 300 Borah Ave W, Twin Falls, ID 83301
  June 9 – August 8, 11:30 a.m. – noon

• Rupert Club: 209 2nd Street South, Rupert, ID 83350
  June 9 – August 8, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Buhl Club: 523 Sawtooth Avenue, Buhl, ID 83316
  June 9 – August 5, times vary

Recent statistics indicate that around 1 in 5 children in the U.S. face food insecurity during the summer months. Programs like SFSP are essential in combating this issue, providing vital nutrition and support. They not only help meet immediate needs but also promote overall health and well-being in youth. In a time when many families are struggling, such initiatives can make a significant difference.

For more information, check the USDA’s Summer Meals for Kids webpage.

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