A statewide keiki feeding program is starting up this month, thanks to a new program made available by USDA Summer School Food Services, Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Program, and a dedicated team of statewide Food Access Coordinators.
The keiki feeding program, called Kaukau 4 Keiki, will participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) which is a federally-funded, state-administered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas.
The program is set to launch in June, running through July 31st, and is open to any child 18 and under who lives in a zip code starting with 967XX. Meals are also available to persons with disabilities, up to the age of 22, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled. Maui United Way has stepped up as a the program’s fiscal sponsor for Maui and Lana’i. Moloka’i will be providing a separate meal service program through Kualapu`u Public Charter School.
Kaukau 4 Keiki will provide a weekly meal kit of breakfasts and lunches for children 18 and under in rural communities. Kits will look different from island to island, as program hosts are doing their best to support local farmers, ranchers, and food producers.
Interested in signing up? Fill out a simple form at Kaukau4Keiki.org to receive a free weekly meal box for your keiki this summer. Distribution will begin in June and run through the summer.
