Special food service program for children

Abstract: The Special Food Service Program for Children, started in 1968, provides cash and food commodities to needy children in institutional settings other than schools. The summer meal service serves a function similar to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program during the school year. In 1972, 294 sites in 23 states and the District of Columbia were visited as part of the Special Food Service Summer Survey. Sites were selected on the basis ofthe number of children sponsors expected to feed at each. The amount of federal reimbursement that would be given to the sponosrs who were surveyed was estimated at $23.8 million, or 47.3% of the total national allocation. Data is presented on 1) the types of sites operated by sponsors, 2) types of sponsors surveyed, 3) methods of food preparation, 4) types of meals served, 5) average reimbursement rates,

6) types and amounts of training provided to program sponsors and site supervisors, and 7) types of records kept by site supervisors, graphs, charts, and figures are used to present survey results.