Superintendent Arntzen Offers Data on 2023 Summer Food Service Program

• Brian O'Leary
• September 11 2023

HELENA - Superintendent Arntzen is pleased to share preliminary reports concerning the Summer 2023 season delivery of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP is a federal nutrition program, administered by Montana. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reimburses sponsors of the SFSP for the number of meals served to children each month.

SFSP meals were offered free to children ages 18 years and younger. No application was required of families and children to receive a free meal. Sites were situated in public areas where at least 50% of residential children were eligible for free and reduced meals to ensure the service was more easily accessible in low-income areas.

“I’m grateful for the community sponsors that hosted the summer foods program,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “There was a 25% increase in use of the program from 2022 to 2023, which possibly shows the income challenges Montana families are facing. This year’s data reflects a successful public and private sector partnership that puts Montana children and families first.”

Preliminary data shows that in June 2023, there were a reported 343,068 reimbursable SFSP meals or snacks served throughout the state. Relative to last year’s number of SFSP meals/snacks served in June 2022 was 274,580. There were 99 sponsors operating the SFSP, at a total of 258 sites throughout Montana.

This year, the USDA introduced a new pilot program for rural sites. Montana had 108 site participants in the pilot program where children were able to consume meals off-site.

 For more information, please contact Chris Emerson, School Nutrition Programs Director, at cemerson@mt.gov.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights  1400 Independence Avenue, SW  Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

1. fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

1. email:

program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.