1. Tweet With Us

Stay updated on SFSP information and events through the USDA twitter account. You can also share our tweets, blogs, and other resources through your social media channels.

Follow us on Twitter @USDANutrition and use our hashtag #summermeals

 3. Create PSAs and Take Them to Your Favorite Radio Station Television Station to Play.

Radio stations play public service announcements (PSAs) for free as part of their programming.  You can download our audio PSAs and take them to a local radio station so they can play them for listeners.  Here's how:

1. Look up radio stations in your area: www.radio-locator.com

2. Contact the radio stations public affairs director or the station's main line.

3. Some stations post details on PSA submissions on their websites; if they do not, as the public affairs director:

       a. How do you submit a PSA?

       b. What format it should be in (.mp3, .wav, etc.)?

       c. Do you require a transcript?

       d. Will one of your DJs read the PSA or will you just play the recording?

       e. When will the PSA be aired and for how long?

You can be creative and produce your own PSA for the Summer Food Service Program.  In 2012, Feeding America unveiled PSA's to prevent millions of children from going hungry in the summer.  Check out their "Wishful Thinking" PSA.

4. Promote the Summer Food Service Program 3rd Annual Kick Off Week

As always, USDA would like to increase participation in all states; we are specifically targeting the following 5 states to increase SFSP participation by 10% -- Arkansas, California, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

Hosting a kickoff event for the Summer Food Service Program is the perfect way to make community members aware of the program. 

Below are examples of past Kick-Off events that were successes.  Feel free to replicate these ideas, or use them as a template your own innovative ideas:

• The San Diego Unified School District BBQ Kick-Off Event: Clear Channel Radio donated air time to broadcast SFSP public service announcements (PSAs) and provided DJs for the BBQ. 
  
• NYC Postcard, Flyer and Poster Campaign: leading up to the start of SFSP, 1.2 million postcards, 140,000 flyers and 2,000 posters were distributed in low participation areas.  Get out the word on foot and in the mail!
  
• Kick-Off Rally with Key Leaders, Featuring a Professional Athlete:  FNS Southeast Regional Administrator Don Arnette and North Carolina Governor Bev Purdue host a Kick-Off Rally at a school, featuring Charlotte Bobcat's guard, Kemba Walker.