No sponsors in Clearwater County; increased coverage needed in Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties
BOISE, ID – The Idaho Department of Education is calling on community organizations to become sponsors for the 2025 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which aims to provide free, nutritious meals to children ages 1 to 18 during the summer months when school is out.
The program targets areas where many children lose access to regular school meals and relies on local sponsors to operate meal sites across the state. Sponsors are reimbursed for every qualifying meal or snack they provide and may serve breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper.
Eligible sponsors include schools, residential camps, local governments, religious groups, nonprofit organizations, libraries, and colleges involved in youth sports programs.
While the department is seeking sponsors statewide, the need is especially critical in rural communities, where some areas are entirely without coverage. Sponsors in rural areas are allowed to run non-congregate sites, where meals can be picked up and consumed elsewhere, improving access for families facing transportation or scheduling barriers.
Regions with the greatest need include:
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Region 1: No sponsors in Boundary and Shoshone counties; more needed in Benewah County.
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Region 2: No sponsors in Clearwater County; increased coverage needed in Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties.
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Region 3: No sponsors in Owyhee County; gaps in Adams, Boise, Elmore, and Washington counties.
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Region 4: No sponsors in Camas County; more needed in Lincoln County.
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Region 5: No sponsors in Caribou County; more coverage needed in Bear Lake, Oneida, Power, and Preston counties.
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Region 6: No sponsors in Butte, Custer, Fremont, and Teton counties; increased need in Lemhi County.
The deadline to apply to be a sponsor is May 2. Required training must be completed before operating any food sites.
More information, including the application process and training requirements, can be found at sde.idaho.gov/cnp/sfsp or by calling (208) 332-6828.