Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 28, 2026
CONTACT
Julia Sclafani
Public Relations Specialist
Email: ECECD-PIO@ececd.nm.gov
Mobile: (505) 699–5937
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) will continue administering the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 2026 — ensuring children have access to nutritious meals during summer break and other school closures.
All children ages 1-18 are eligible — no registration or proof of enrollment is necessary. Individuals over 18 who have a mental or physical disability and participate during the school year in a qualifying program are also eligible to participate.
Organizations eligible for meal site sponsorship include public or private, nonprofit school food authorities; public or private, nonprofit residential camps; units of local, municipal, county, Tribal, state and federal governments; National Sports Program sites; and private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
SFSP is a federally funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administered in New Mexico by ECECD’s Family Nutrition Bureau within the Early Care, Education and Nutrition division. SFSP’s primary purpose is to offer free meals through eligible sponsoring organizations to children in low-income areas in summer months and other periods when most schools are closed.
SFSP-sponsored organizations may provide site-based, in-person meals and/or to-go meals for rural communities that qualify. To find a meal site near you, visit summerfoodnm.org or call 1-800-EAT-COOL (1-800-328-2665).
Organizations interested in administering and operating SFSP meal services in their community should contact the Family Nutrition Bureau at 505-231-4703 or by using the contact form at summerfoodnm.org.
###
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement and Complaint Information
In accordance with federal civil rights law and (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of
hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer and at any USDA office, or write a letter to USDA that includes all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
###
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.