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Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
September - 2022
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Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Division of Finance and Support Services
Child Nutrition Programs
P.O. Box 110500
Juneau, AK 99811 |
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USDA Policy, Information, and Implementation Memos |
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Sponsoring organizations and institutions are required by regulation to keep Bulletins, Instructions, and USDA Policy Memorandums for reference and to apply them immediately to the appropriate agency programs. Call Child Nutrition Programs if you need further clarification.
To view the USDA SFSP policy memos, visit: DEED Child Nutrition Programs website or the USDA Policy Memorandum webpage by clicking on the links provided.
Waivers:
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Eating and Sleep
You are what you eat, right? Food is both fuel and medicine for our bodies. It provides us with the energy and nutrients we need to achieve our potential in all our life stages and situations. Food is also a very basic way to connect with our families and communities, honor our cultures, and respect our environment. Adequate sleep each night gives our bodies a chance to process healthy food and the day's challenges, and rejuvenate.
Healthy food can be accessible for all through school food programs, SNAP benefits, WIC programs, farmers markets, community and home gardens, and the "store outside our door" (an abundance of wild food high in omega 3's, antioxidants, vitamins, and other healthy nutrients) can help. Common sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and restless leg syndrome are often treatable.
Habits around food and sleep start early. That's why it's so important to make informed nutrition decisions for our children, and to make regular, stress-free bedtime a daily habit. Honoring the relationship between healthy food, sleep, and our bodies can also reduce risks for chronic diseases, plus make us less susceptible to falls, substance misuse, and mistreatment.
Good Nutrition
Good nutrition is essential to keeping current and future generations healthy across the lifespan. A healthy diet helps children grow and develop properly and reduces their risk of chronic diseases. Adults who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Healthy eating can help people with chronic diseases manage these conditions and avoid complications.
However, when healthy options are not available, people may settle for foods that are higher in calories and lower in nutritional value. People in low-income communities and some racial and ethnic groups often lack access to convenient places that offer affordable, healthier foods.
Most people in the United States don’t eat a healthy diet and consume too much sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, increasing their risk of chronic diseases. For example, fewer than 1 in 10 adolescents and adults eat enough fruits or vegetables. In addition, 6 in 10 young people aged 2 to 19 years and 5 in 10 adults consume at least one sugary drink on any given day.
Seek out ways to improve children's access to healthier food and drink choices in settings such as early care and education facilities, schools, worksites, and communities.
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Promote Access to Voting at SFSP Sites
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) encourages all local sponsoring agencies administering the Child Nutrition Programs to post promotional materials, including voter registration and non-partisan, non-campaign election information, to be disseminated among voting-age program participants and their families.
SFSP operators are encouraged to post flyers with voter registration and election information to reach parents and/or guardians of young participants. Sponsors posting information on their website and social media channels are encouraged to include a link to relevant resources, including the vote.gov website.
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Healthy Students
Healthy students are better learners. The Alaska Department of Education recognizes that parents and families have a powerful role in supporting their children’s health and learning. Engaged parents can help guide their children successfully through school, advocate for their children, and can help shape a healthy school environment. Here are some resources to help you get engaged. Parents for Healthy Schools The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a web resource called Parents for Healthy Schools. The website has information that helps parent learn how to promote nutrition, physical activity, and management of chronic conditions in schools. Back to School Checklist Students head back to classrooms in a few weeks. Here is a brief checklist to assist you as you prepare for a healthy school year.
- Make sure immunizations are up to date.
- Establish a bedtime and wake-up time to ensure adequate and consistent sleep.
- Eat breakfast each day at home or at school.
- Get involved with your children’s school(s).
- Review hygiene tips, especially hand washing*, to prevent the spread of infections.
Key Times to Wash Hands
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
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Summer Food Program Resources
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Food Buying Guide There is a new feature available on the FBG Interactive Web-based Tool. Under the Food Item Details Page users can select the desired Serving Size per Meal Contribution for fruits and vegetables using a drop-down menu to auto-calculate the amount to purchase based on the serving size. You can download the Food Buying Guide. |
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Listserv- Did You Know? Alaska Child Nutrition Programs has a listserv. The purpose of the listserv is to provide information and updates on the USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.
To receive all of the hottest news and updates from Alaska Child Nutrition Programs, Subscribe to ak_child_nutrition_programs by filling out the form found here: Alaska Child Nutrition Programs ListServ.
You will receive a confirmation link via email which you should click to complete your subscription.
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Contact Us
- Program Coordinator (USDA Foods, TEFAP, FFVP)
- Program Coordinator (NSLP)
- Program Coordinator (CACFP)
- Program Specialist (SFSP)
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- Program Specialist (School Wellness)
- Education Program Associate II (Special Milk Program)
- Education Program Assistant (USDA Foods, TEFAP)
- Education Program Assistant (CACFP & SFSP)
- Pandemic EBT Specialist
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