Q: What is the Summer Food Program?

A: Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ) provides free, nutritious meals to help children get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

The Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers SFSP at the federal level. The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)-Child Nutrition and Wellness administers the program at the state level. Locally, the Summer Food Program is run by several participating agencies, including the Lawrence Public Schools Food Service Department, K-State Research & Extension-Douglas County, Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Douglas County ECKAN and Lawrence Housing Authority Resident Services.

The program will be offered Monday through Friday in four locations in Lawrence. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. at all four sites. Breakfast, served only at the Boys and Girls Club and Woodlawn School, will be offered from 7:45 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Here are the details:

¢ South Park Recreation Center, 1141 Mass., May 30 – Aug. 11 (excluding July 3-4).

¢ East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St., June 5-July 28 (excluding July 3-4)

¢ Boys and Girls Club: 1520 Haskell Ave., June 5-July 28 (excluding July 4)

¢ Woodlawn School, 508 Elm St., June 5-July 28 (excluding July 4).

Q: What does it cost to participate in the Lawrence Summer Food Program?

A: The Lawrence Summer Food Program provides nutritious free meals for all youths between the ages of 1 and 18. There is no fee or registration, and no proof of income, age or qualification is needed. An adult must accompany anyone under 4 years of age and can buy breakfast for $1.25 or lunch for $2.50.

While programs by the Lawrence Park and Recreation and Boys and Girls Club coincide with the lunch program, youths don’t have to enroll in those groups to participate.

For more information, call K-State Research and Extension-Douglas County.