Press release [Feb. 17, 2014A]

Free Meals available for Children in the Summer
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 6517358, mcardoza@gadoe.org - Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
February 17, 2014 The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) School Nutrition Program announces the availability of free meals to children during summer break. Through the federally funded program, Seamless Summer Option, any child under the age of 18 may receive a free meal at any preapproved location throughout the state. There is no income qualification or registration requirement to receive this benefit. During the academic year, Georgia schools serve more than .5 million breakfasts and approximately 1.1 million lunches daily. More than 77 percent of these meals are provided at a free or reduced price through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. Currently, Georgia ranks first in both breakfast and lunch participation levels for states with more than 1 million students. Compared to all states, Georgia ranks in the top five. School Food Authorities (SFA) participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program are eligible to apply for the Seamless Summer Option so that meals may continue to be served to the children in their respective communities in the summer. On average, more than 2,200 locations in Georgia continue serving school meals by participating in the Seamless Summer Option. GaDOE encourages eligible SFAs to consider providing this much-needed service to Georgia's children. More information: Seamless Summer Option - http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/opportunity-schools
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 6329992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
-------------------------------------------Matt Cardoza Director of Communications Georgia Department of Education 2062 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 651-7358 mcardoza@doe.k12.ga.us http://www.gadoe.org
"Making Education Work for All Georgians"