HPARD’s Summer Food Service Program, for youth ages 1 to 18, will operate from June 4 - August 17, 2012. This program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered through Texas Department Agriculture and sponsored locally by HPARD since 1984.

For the 2012 Summer Season, HPARD has teamed up with Wal-Mart and NRPA to Fight Childhood Hunger in Houston this summer. For a location near you a link will be available in June 2012!

The Summer Food Service Program operates Monday through Friday at more than 464 sites in Houston and Harris County throughout the summer. No registration is required. SFSP meals are served at Houston Parks and Recreation Department Community Centers and other participating locations including: churches, apartment complexes, learning centers and other non-profit organizations.

The nutritious packed lunches are prepared and delivered daily to each site and comply with federal and state requirements. They include one serving of milk, two or more servings of vegetables and/or fruits, one serving of grain or bread, and one serving of meat or meat alternative.

Lunch is served 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and a healthy snack is served from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. To find a site near you call 2-1-1 or 713.676.6832 and give the operator your zip code.

To find a location by zip code, please consult this printable pdf available in June 2012.

To Become a Summer Food Service Site

Since 1984, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department has sponsored The Summer Food Service Program for youth. Current registration to become a summer food service site for the summer of 2012 closes on April 13, 2012.

To register your organization to become a Summer Food Service Site in 2012 the following requirements must be met:

• Complete and return a 2012 Request to Participate Form now available from the Department's Summer Food Service Program Office and online.
• Participate in and pass a Pre-Approval Visit. This visit is required to determine that site locations have the facilities to provide meal service for the anticipated number of participants in attendance and the capability of conducting the proposed meal service.
• Attend a Site Supervisor's Training Session before the 2012 Summer Food Service Program operation begins. Site staff are required to attend this session and a Summer Food Service Program Operating Manual is provided.
• Participate in continuing site visits by the Summer Food Service Program Staff throughout the program's operation. These visits are conducted at least once during the first week to ensure that the program operates smoothly and to verify information. Please note that UNANNOUNCED site visits can be conducted by City and State officials.
• Participate in site reviews by Summer Food Service Program Staff at least once during the first 4 weeks of the programs operation to review and discuss its progress.
• Site Supervisor maintains accurate records of meals that are served. No billing or food preparation is involved. The Summer Food Service Program is FREE for youth.

For more information on becoming a Summer Food Service Program site, contact Sheila Pous by phone at 713.676.6832 or by e-mail to sheila.pous@houstontx.gov.