Idaho Department of Education needs sponsors for Food Service Program

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Idaho Department of Education is seeking sponsors for their 2025 summer food service program. KMVT spoke with organizers about the importance of this service and how local groups can help out.

“We really care about our community, and we know that in the summertime there are children that don’t have good access to food,” says Gooding Joint School District’s Child Nutrition Director, Anji Branch.

According to the Idaho Department of Education, during the summer months, reaching children and families in need of help often becomes more challenging. That’s why the Gooding Joint School District became a sponsor of Idaho’s summer food program.

“Last year we fed 56,000 meals over the course of the summer. This year’s we’re projecting around the same amount of families,” says Branch.

While there’s a need in many Idaho cities, the department of education reports that rural areas are more likely to deal with food insecurity when school is out.

“It’s always the rural areas that we want to target, because we know that children that live and hour or so away from their school, they already have a challenge finding transportation to get to a school setting to receive a meal,” says Lead Coordinator of the program, Mary Ann Liby. “So, we’re always conscious as far as recruiting sponsors in those areas that need it the most.”

Some of the rural sites lacking sponsors include Bliss, Custer, Fremont and Teton, among others. But it’s not just about food--the department also encourages activities along with serving meals.

“We have found that a program can be so successful if there are other enrichment activities being offered on top of the meal services and really promoting not only eating healthy but being active,” says Liby.

Gooding accomplishes this by partnering with the local library.

“We’re another good point for them to come pick up food for these kids and for them to come and enjoy, hopefully participate in some of our other activities,” says Director of the Gooding Public Library, Cindy Bigler.

The Education Department is requiring a free training course starting in March to be a part of their food program. Groups interested in participating can find more information here: Summer Food Service Program / Child Nutrition Programs / Idaho Department of Education

Copyright 2025 KMVT. All rights reserved.