(10)AR 050410 Summer Food Service Program

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STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 10 DATE: MAY 4, 2010 _W,7 TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: ROD FOSTER, CITY MANAGER PREPARED BY: BILL SMITH, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER OOD SERVICE PROGRAM RECOMMENDED ACTION It is recommended that the City Council approve participation in the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and authorize the City Manager to sign required documents. GOAL STATEMENT The proposed action will support the City's goal to interact with our community and partner as appropriate to further the goal of connecting our community. Becoming a SFSP sponsor offers one more opportunity to provide quality programs and services to our community and encourages healthy living. BACKGROUND The Community Services Department, Recreation Division, is interested in becoming a sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was created by Congress in 1968. It is a federal program overseen by the USDA and administered in California by the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division. SFSP is designed to provide funds for eligible sponsoring organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session. Program sponsors such as Food Banks, Recreation Departments, City Governments, and Boys and Girls Clubs receive reimbursements from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for serving healthy meals and snacks to children and teenagers, 18 years and younger. The Summer Food Service Program offers community-based organizations a chance to give local kids nutritious meals and snacks, a safe haven, and a good start toward their ability to learn and be active. The meals must meet nutritional guidelines similar to those required in school breakfast and lunch programs. Studies have found that children who eat school breakfasts and lunches have a healthier diet than those who do not. They drink more milk, eat more fruits and vegetables, and consume less saturated fat.