Today, Mayor Rawlings-Blake was joined by city and state officials, business partners, and former NFL pro Antonio Freeman to announce details about the 2011 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The program, which is administered by Baltimore Housing’s Office of Community Services, will officially start on June 20th and will run though August 19th, 2011. Children ages 18 and under will receive a nutritional breakfast and lunch five days a week during the summer months when schools are closed.

“I want to thank our public and private partners for their support of the Summer Food Service Program, and of our children,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “The program provides free meals to needy children so they can get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months.”

Based on the current conditions of the economy, the city estimates that they will serve 485,000 lunches and 370,000 breakfasts this summer. Over the 44-day period, the program will feed more than 20,000 children per day. Additionally, The Family League of Baltimore City is developing an innovative mobile meals program that will stop at three locations within Baltimore City and serve supper to children at 40 program sites.

Good nutrition is essential to a child’s growth and development. Thousands of low-income children in Baltimore rely on the meals provided at school to get the nutrition they require to learn and grow. When schools close for the summer, children miss out on free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch. Through the SFSP, underprivileged children can continue to receive nutritious meals while on break.

This year, the City expects 450 community organizations, including churches, recreational centers, and school programs throughout the City to join the cause by becoming feeding sites. The meals, which are provided at no cost to the children, are freshly prepared and delivered daily by Martin’s Caterers, Inc. The Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE) School and Community Nutrition Program, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides funding for the SFSP. Share Our Strength and Maryland Hunger Solutions are partners.

For more information about the 2010 Summer Food Service Program, or to sign up, visit http://www.baltimorehousing.org/food/.