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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Cross-posted. Please excuse duplication.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Does your library serve summer meals or snacks, or are you interested in being a meal site or supporting other meal sites in your area? Many libraries in Ohio and around the USA participate
in the <b><a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program">Summer Food Service Program</a></b> (SFSP, now branded as SUN Meals), a USDA-funded program that provides free meals and snacks to children ages 0-18 in communities with high levels
of need. <b>In 2024, over one out of every 10 SFSP sites in Ohio was a public library!<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/">Libraries and SFSP are a great fit.</a></span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> The library is
a trusted, accessible community center and very well experienced in providing free services.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Libraries are also justly famous for drop-in enrichment programming, which increases the appeal and use of SFSP sites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">SFSP is good for the library too. Besides the obvious benefits of addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable youth, participation gives libraries:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Access to new user groups, especially underserved and marginalized populations<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Increased visibility of the library as a community asset<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Opportunities for new partnerships<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Positioning of the library as an important stakeholder in community well-being and positive child outcomes<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Support for summer library programming through increased attendance<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Beginning in 2024, SUN Meals sites in low-income rural areas can distribute meals and snacks for offsite consumption (grab-and-go). This service model, called SUN Meals To-Go, is intended
to reduce barriers for children, teens, and families in rural areas to access healthy meals and snacks. The USDA is using a broad definition of rural; some areas defined as rural for this purpose income all of Athens, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Wooster, Ashtabula,
Marion, Findlay, Bowling Green, Wilmington, and Portsmouth (this is not a comprehensive list of Ohio cities designated rural for SUN Meals). Note that not all areas designated rural are SFSP-eligible; there remains an area income eligibility requirement. You
may look up your locations on the <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/rural-designation">
USDA rural designation page</a> and see the new rural definition overlaid with area eligibility on the
<a href="https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/Summer-Meals-Eligibility-Map">No Kid Hungry Summer Eligibility Map.</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Interested in serving summer meals or snacks in 2025?</span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">If you are already a SUN Meals site (or have been a site in the past), work with your regular sponsor to prepare for summer 2025. If your location is
designated rural by the USDA, ask your sponsor about the SUN Meals To-Go non-congregate option.
<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">If you want to become a SUN Meals site*, first find out if you are in an eligible area. Eligibility is based on the economic conditions of a geographic
area, measured by school data or census data. Use the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/capacitybuilder">
USDA's Capacity Builder Map</a> to see if you are in an eligible area. When the map loads, scroll down and select “FY2025 FNS SFSP CACFP Eligibility.” Alternately, you may check your eligibility using the
<a href="https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/Summer-Meals-Eligibility-Map">No Kid Hungry Summer Eligibility Map.</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">If you are not in an eligible area, see the
<a href="https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/#alternatives">Libraries and Summer Food</a> guide (below) for alternatives to SFSP and other ways to help. If you are near eligible areas, contact the
<a href="https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Food-and-Nutrition/Summer-Food-Service-Program/Summer-Food-Service-Program-Component">
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW) Office of Nutrition</a> to find out if you may be eligible through Averaged Area Eligibility.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">If you are in an eligible area, identify and contact a local SFSP sponsor* about becoming a site. The USDA Capacity Builder map can show you existing
sites and their sponsors. I can also help you identify existing sponsors in your area, so feel welcome to
<a href="mailto:jdwyer@library.ohio.gov?subject=Summer%20Food%20Service%20Program">
email me</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">If there is no sponsor in your area to ask, you might contact your school district administrative office, to discuss the possibility of their becoming
an SFSP sponsor and using your library as a site. Or contact the <a href="https://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks/">
food bank that serves your area</a>. Or <a href="https://childrenshungeralliance.org/summer/">
contact the Children’s Hunger Alliance</a>, which can serve as an SFSP sponsor in all 88 Ohio counties for distribution of shelf-stable meals and snacks that meet nutrition guidelines. You may also complete the
<b><a href="http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Food-and-Nutrition/Summer-Food-Service-Program/2013-Summer-Food-Service-Program-Potential-Sponsor">ODEW Potential Sponsor Survey</a></b>. The ODEW administers the SFSP statewide and identifies new
sponsors and sites through this survey. You can complete the survey to make your interest known to the ODEW even if you just want to be a site and not a sponsor*.<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">* A note about SFSP sites and sponsors:<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Sites are the locations where meals/snacks are served. Nearly all participating libraries are sites (not sponsors), or partner to bring enrichment activities
to an existing site.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Sponsors handle the financial, administrative and food service responsibilities for SFSP in an area. Sponsors may contract with food service providers
and do not have to prepare the food themselves. Sponsors are reimbursed for all expenses by the USDA. A few libraries are sponsors as well as sites.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">For further information,
<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/">No Kid Hungry</a>’s <a href="https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/">
Center for Best Practices</a> offers a<b> <a href="https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/programs/summer-and-afterschool-meals-libraries">
Summer and Afterschool Meals resource just for libraries</a></b>. This webpage houses information for libraries nationwide on SFSP and the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program (CACFP At-Risk, or Afterschool Meals). Planning and
implementation resources are also available, along with training opportunities. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The No Kid Hungry resource aligns with and links to the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s
<b><a href="https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/">Libraries & Summer Food</a></b> how-to guide, which is a thorough, clear step-by-step guide for libraries wishing to participate in or support summer meals.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Also, the
<b><a href="https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/library-programs-and-development/summer-food-service/summer-food-service">State Library’s SUN Meals webpage</a>
</b>provides guidance for Ohio libraries and a collection of Ohio-specific links, instructions, and ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Thank you for all you do to support the children and families in your community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or for assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Janet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="248" height="74" style="width:2.5833in;height:.775in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01DB8C17.5BF7BB20" alt="A picture containing text
Description automatically generated"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75">Janet Ingraham Dwyer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75">Youth Services Library Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75">Library Programs & Development</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">State Library of Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">274 E. 1<sup>st</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Columbus, OH 43201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">614.644.6910<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:jdwyer@library.ohio.gov"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">jdwyer@library.ohio.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://library.ohio.gov/"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">library.ohio.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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