The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has announced that applications for the 2025 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will be accepted from February 1 to May 1, 2025. This program aims to ensure that children under 18, who depend on school meal programs, continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
TDHS partners annually with food sponsors across Tennessee to distribute these meals, with the program typically running from the end of May until the start of the new school semester in August. This year, the program will offer the flexibility of providing “grab and go” meals in some rural areas.
Latest TN News
According to Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of TDHS, “The Summer Food Service Program is an essential federally funded initiative designed to ensure that no child goes hungry when school is out.” Last year, the program supported over 1,350 meal sites, serving approximately 4.9 million meals. This year, efforts are being made to expand outreach to more rural communities, and organizations across the state are encouraged to participate in this mission.
While the SFSP has historically operated statewide, the focus is on expanding into rural counties with few or no meal sites, including Benton, Carroll, Carter, Cocke, Fayette, Grainger, Houston, Humphreys, Johnson, Lauderdale, Marshall, Moore, Rhea, Sequatchie, and Sumner. TDHS is actively seeking sponsors to serve these counties and welcomes additional sponsors for every county in Tennessee.
Organizations interested in becoming SFSP sponsors or feeding sites can contact TDHS by email at TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov. More information on the program is available on the TDHS website.
In addition to school-aged children, adults 19 and older with a mental or physical disability are eligible for meals if they participate in a school program established for individuals with disabilities during the previous school year. Parents seeking a feeding location can contact the TDHS SFSP main line at 615-313-4749 or their local school as the school year ends.
The program complies with federal civil rights law and USDA regulations, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliation for previous civil rights activity. Program information is available in languages other than English, and alternative communication methods are provided for individuals with disabilities.
Complaints regarding program discrimination can be filed using Form AD-3027, available online or from any USDA office. Complaints can be submitted by mail, fax, or email to the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
For further details, visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Source: Read Original Release
National Burn Awareness Week Promotes Safety
The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is focusing on burn prevention and home fire safety during National Burn Awareness Week, emphasizing practical safety measures in homes. Carter Lawrence and Mike Bell advocate for reviewing fire escape plans and ensuring working smoke alarms. Safety tips offered include using back burners, securing appliance cords, and maintaining a “kid-free zone” in cooking areas to minimize burn risks.