The Child Nutrition Services division at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is now accepting applications for sponsors of the 2010 Summer Feeding Programs for children. Eligible sponsors are those that operate a non-profit meal program during the summer to children ages 18 and younger.

Those sponsors will be reimbursed for eligible meals served. The meal sites must be located in areas where at least 50 percent of the children are qualified for free or reduced-price school meals, or where at least 50 percent of the children enrolled in a specific program are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.

All children  regardless of family income level  can receive a free meal at approved sites. Participation is open to public and private nonprofit school food authorities, residential summer camps, certain private nonprofit organizations and units of local, county, municipal, tribal, state or federal government.

Colleges and universities that participate in the Upward Bound Program may also participate. A sponsor may serve up to two meal types per child per day at each site. This may be a breakfast, breakfast and snack, snack, breakfast and lunch, lunch, lunch and snack, or two snacks. Sites serving primarily migrant children may serve up to three meal types per day per child, with dinner being one of the options.

Meals must meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal patterns. Sponsors may prepare their own meals or purchase them from a school district or food service management company approved by the OSPIs Child Nutrition Services division. The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex and disability.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll-free (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For further information, contact Nancy Vant Hul, program specialist, at (360) 725-6222 or Donna Parsons, supervisor, at (360) 725-6220, or by mail at Child Nutrition Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.