Beginning in 2014, Youthprise took on an essential role as a hub — coordinating, recruiting, training and supporting programs in serving snacks and meals year-round. In 2019, we supported 61 Nutrition sites across the Twin Cities and served over 284,000 meals to over 6,000 young people ages 6 – 18. The Youthprise model is specifically designed to eliminate barriers to participation where there is a great need for assistance in providing meals. Youthprise was sought out to initiate a sponsorship role in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) that would allow small to medium size youth-serving organizations to serve free meals through federal nutrition programs, thus allowing their money to be put back into program and staffing instead of food for their youth.
Our Nutrition Program is a part of our Health and Safety focus area. Our goal is to promote the health and safety of young people by meeting basic needs and holistically addressing health concerns that impact youth in our communities. When young people are out of school, they shouldn’t have to worry about where meals are coming from. Year-round meals are provided to youth at trusted locations in the community, where youth are not only encouraged to participate in programming but also have the space to provide input into their menus. The Youthprise Nutrition Program provides meals at public libraries, recreation centers, faith communities, schools, and local youth-serving nonprofits.
Summer Meals enrollment opens February. Select application “2023 Summer Meals”
CACFP Afterschool Meals enrollment are open from July until February. Select application “23 – 24 After-School Meals”
10 Nutrition Program Sites Established
67,000+ meals served!
23 Nutrition Program Sites Established
125,000+ meals served!
40 Nutrition Program Sites Established
223,000+ meals served!
52 Nutrition Program Sites Established
253,000+ meals served!
60 Nutrition Program Sites Established
284,000+ meals served!
To find open locations, download the Free Meals for Kids by Hunger Impact Partners. The app is free for Android and iPhone.
It is updated regularly.
Join other sites across state of Minnesota in serving well-balanced and nutritious meals to the youth of Minnesota. Eligible organizations include libraries, recreation centers, schools, churches, community centers, and more! Sites must be in a school data area or census area where 50% or more of the youth served that fall within poverty levels.
You can expect:
For more information, please contact the Nutrition Program at nurtrition@youthprise.org.
Young people are involved in all aspects of our work. Youthprise employs summer youth Nutrition Interns to support sites and coordinate the program. Additionally, Youthprise equips sites with the tools to ensure that young people have opportunities not only to be served, but to be a part of leading the program.
Youthprise works with local community partners who already have relationships with young people. Through these partnerships, Youthprise provides meals to youth in over 5 counties and is looking to serve state-wide in the future.
Youthprise works with youth and local vendors to develop culturally-relevant menus that youth enjoy while still meeting the program requirements.
Youthprise takes a holistic approach to nutrition. Through collaborative efforts with our partners; we provide additional research, nutrition education, physical activity programming, and agricultural education to more holistically address food insecurity for Minnesota youth.
Youthprise is proud to be an equal opportunity provider. This program is supported by the Minnesota Department of Education, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other funders and partners.
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