Roosevelt, NY--Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead), today announced that the Nassau County Summer Food Service Program, which began on Monday, July 5, 2004, is now in full swing.

"Every child needs and deserves nutritious meals. This wonderful program gives thousands of children the opportunity to get a free and wholesome meal in a safe environment, all summer" County Executive Suozzi said.

"The summer months shouldn't mean that children in need of nutritious meals should go without, and this program helps to assure that hungry children get fed," said Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead).

The Summer Food Service Program is funded $350,000 by the New York State Department of Education and will be administered by the Nassau County Youth Board. Lunch meals will be provided free for all eligible children, 18 years and under.

Nassau County will receive reimbursement from the Federal government to underwrite all administrative and operational costs needed to support program implementation at the 53 community sites throughout Nassau County.

"The Nassau County Youth Board is proud to be the designated county agency administering the Summer Food Service Program. During the last 18 years over 1,000,000 lunches have been served," said George Siberón, Executive Director of the Nassau County Youth Board.

Selected sites will all be monitored on a regular basis by seasonal program staff. Additionally, the Nassau County Health Department inspectors will be involved in the inspections of the lunch sites. Eligible children must reside in areas where 50 percent or more of the children are from households with income at or below the eligibility level for free and reduced price school meals, or 185 percent of the Federal poverty guideline.

Last year, a total of 91,699 lunches were served at more than 48 sites countywide. This year, the Nassau County Youth Board Summer Food Service Program anticipates providing over 100,000 free lunches to eligible children. For information about eligibility requirements, the various sites or lunch schedules please contact the Nassau County Youth Board Summer Food Service Program Office at (516) 572-1383 or visit the Nassau County Youth Board at 40 Main Street, First Floor, Hempstead.