Summer Meals 4 Kids in Georgia Awareness Week

Why Summer Meals 4 Kids in Georgia Awareness Week?

Free, nutritious meals are available during the summer to help kids throughout Georgia get the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow.

We’ve found that not enough families know about the summer meals programs, so we are bringing awareness by dedicating a week for Summer Meals 4 Kids in Georgia Awareness. DECAL and its partners The Georgia Department of Education, The Atlanta Community Food Bank and The Dairy Alliance have provided a variety of educational content including videos, activities for the kids and parent resources.

This week also recognizes the importance that Farm to Summer programs play in summer feeding. Summer Meals Programs capitalize on the many opportunities that summer brings to serve fresh, local foods and hands-on activities that help children develop healthy habits.

How can you get involved?

Our goal is to reach as many Georgia families as possible. During this week, take a photo or video (with permission) about anything related to summer meals and post it using the hashtag: #SummerMealsGA.

Our Partners
The summer meals programs ensure that thousands of Georgia’s most vulnerable children have access to healthy meals and snacks when school is closed. These programs are administered by our partner organizations who join us in celebrating Summer Meals 4 Kids in GA Awareness Week.
Summer Meals Programs
During the school year, many of Georgia’s children rely on schools to provide free or reduced-price nutritious meals. When school lets out, many children are at risk of going hungry. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) are federally funded programs designed to fill the nutrition gap during summer break. The SFSP and SSO programs provide free meals to children 18 years or younger living in area-eligible locations.
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
  School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the NSLP or SBP are eligible to apply for the Seamless Summer Option.
- Atlanta Community Food Bank
  Every year, we work with more than 600 nonprofit partners—including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers—to distribute over 60 million meals to more than 755,000 people in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia.
How to find FREE Healthy Meals for Kids in GA

Thousands of Georgia’s children don’t get the healthy nutrition they need during the summer. Many parents are not aware that Summer Meals Programs are available throughout Georgia to provide FREE healthy meals for any child 18 and under. Help us spread the word in your community by sharing the resource on how to find free healthy meals for kids when schools are closed.

Locate FREE Healthy Meals for Kids throughout Georgia.

Celebrating Summer Meals 4 Kids in GA Awareness Week

Monday: Hunger Focused Agencies Collaborate to Feed GA’s Children
Welcome to Summer Meals 4 Kids Awareness Week:
Summer should be fun for kids, but for many it is a time of hunger. Join us for a week of activities celebrating Summer Meals Awareness programs in GA. A panel discussion follows on how hunger-focused agencies are collaborating to feed Georgia’s children this summer. Panelists include Tamika Boone, Director of Nutrition Services, DECAL; Dr. Linette Dodson, State Director, School Nutrition Program, Georgia Department of Education; Will McWhirter, Manager of Youth Wellness, The Dairy Alliance and Kyle Waide, President & CEO, The Atlanta Community Food Bank and Jack Griffin, Founder & CEO of FoodFinder.

How hunger-focused agencies are collaborating to feed Georgia’s children this summer.
Parent Resource: What’s on Your Plate?
Before you eat, refer to this What’s On Your Plate? resource and think about what and how much food goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl. Over the day, include foods from all food groups: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein foods
Children’s Activity: Build Healthy Eating Habits
Use these fun activities to encourage kids to get involved in menu planning and teach them to choose a variety of food and vegetables from the 5 MyPlate food groups.
Tuesday: Keeping Kids Fed and Safe during COVID-19
SFSP Sponsors served more than 16 million FREE meals to kids throughout Georgia since COVID-19 caused schools to close. Watch these videos to see how Burke County Schools kept kids fed and safe during the pandemic.
Wednesday: Farm to Summer

Farm to Summer
Farm to Summer emphasizes supporting farmers and putting local foods on the plates of children who participate in the Summer Meals programs. In this video, representatives from DECAL visit two metro area farms: Metro Atlanta Urban Farm and Truly Living Well to highlight local foods available in Atlanta and to look at the growing and harvesting phase of farming.

Parent Resource: What is Farm to Summer?
Summer in Georgia is a time of agricultural abundance and bountiful harvests. Read this helpful document to learn about and engage in Farm to Summer, and to find out where you can purchase local foods in Georgia.

Children’s activity: Planting seeds activity to teach kids where their food comes from.
Help kids understand and learn where their food comes from with this simple and fun garden activity. They will be more likely to taste and enjoy food they took part in growing!
Thursday: Helping children love, eat and explore their fruits and veggies
Today is all about helping children learn to eat and explore their fruits and vegetables. Share these great video resources your family.
- A, B, C Adventure Series with Small Bites Adventure Club
- Georgia Department of Education’s Video Series
  - Toon in Tuesday’s
  - Harvest with Holly
- Parent Resource: It’s Taste Test Time!
  A fun way to introduce your kids to new flavors, textures and foods is through a taste test. Utilize the tips in this resource to immerse children in the cooking and tasting process. Most importantly, have fun with children as they learn and experience cooking and tasting!
- Children’s Activity:
  - BINGO: Have fun with Bingo; a game to help kids learn about eating a balanced diet and trying new foods. Provided by the Georgia Department of Education
  - Dairy Nutrition Worksheet: Enjoy this fun worksheet from The Dairy Alliance to learn about dairy nutrition and the farm to table process.
  - Fueling GA’s Future Activity Book: This book is full of fun activities teaching kids how to measure ingredients in the kitchen, how to recognize different fruits and vegetables, and when they grow. Provided by the Georgia Department of Education.
  - Book Reading: Explore the different types of seeds we eat with a book reading of Plants Feed Me by Lizzy Rockwell. DECAL’s CALi is also featured in the video! You can purchase Plants Feed Me here.
Friday: Summer Meals Resources
Summer Meals 4 Kids in GA Awareness Week ends today, but we have many resources to help you incorporate Summer Meals and Farm to Summer in your household.