City of Garland TX : Summer Nutrition Program Awarded Gold-Level Recognition

The Food Research Action Center (FRAC) and The Texas Hunger Initiative awarded the City of Garland Summer Nutrition Program (SNP) recognition as a gold-level sponsor of the Excellence in Summer Meals Sponsor Recognition Program.

Each summer, the City of Garland's Office of Fair Housing coordinates the staffing and programming for the SNP, which provides free, nutritious meals to children ages 1 to 18 and young adults with disabilities when school is out for the summer.

As part of the recognition program, FRAC conducted site visits, interviewed site coordinators and reviewed meal plans. As a result, Garland's SNP achieved the highest level of excellence.

According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, nearly 2.3 million children receive free or reduced-price lunches at school each day under the National School Lunch Program, but only about 12 percent of these children have access to the Summer Food Service Programs. SNP serves as a meal source for recreation centers, parks and churches that have organized activities. SNP also improves access to breakfast and lunch for children in target neighborhoods during the summer months.

As a recognized gold-level sponsor, SNP will receive recognition locally, statewide and nationally. The Excellence in Summer Meals Sponsor Recognition Program raises the bar for sponsors like the City of Garland across Dallas County, and contributes to greater access and quality of meals for our youth.