Jersey City Helps Close Food Inequity Gaps for over 3,000 Youth through annual Summer Food Service Program
Jersey City Helps Close Food Inequity Gaps for over 3,000 Youth through annual Summer Food Service Program
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announces the annual Summer Food Service Program returning to Jersey City beginning next week to help feed Jersey City children who lack access to reliable sources of healthy food while school is closed for the summer. These nutritious meals help feed over 3,000 children citywide.
“Now more than ever, our families need assistance to help put food on their tables, and this year’s Summer Food Program will expand upon the food services the city has been providing to meet the exponential increase in demands for food assistance,” said Mayor Fulop. “It’s critical for us to provide much needed nutrition to some of our most underserved populations who struggle with healthy food access, especially now in the wake of this health and economic crisis.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 11 million children live in “food insecure” households throughout the United States. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program being served up locally by Jersey City’s Department of Health and Human Services. SFSP provides all children with the same free meal in accordance with a menu approved by the state agency.
Starting Monday, June 29th, through Friday, August 21st, breakfasts and lunches will be available to all of Jersey City’s youth, 18 years old and under, at various secured sites. There is no application process, families can simply show up at a designated site to pick up the healthy meals, Monday through Friday.
Local meal pickup locations are listed on the SFSP website. Jersey City residents can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479) or text “Summer Meals” to 97779 for closest sites and additional information.
“The summer months are especially difficult for children and teens who are food insecure as they no longer have their schools to rely on,” said Stacey Flanagan, Director of the Jersey City Health and Human Services Department. “We provide food to our low-income households year-round, and while summertime is traditionally the most difficult in low-income areas, this year we are seeing a much greater need for food and other critical services amid this health and economic crisis.”
About USDA Programs
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
