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Summer Food Program Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Summer Food Program information

See California salary details

$32.1K

$47.8K

$115.5K

How much do summer food program jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for summer food program in California is $47,844.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $34,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by staff in a Summer Food Program role, and how can they be effectively managed?

Staff in Summer Food Program roles often encounter challenges such as managing high meal volumes during short service windows, ensuring compliance with nutrition and safety standards, and engaging with children from diverse backgrounds. Effective communication, teamwork, and strong organizational skills are essential for addressing these challenges. Training on food safety protocols and clear coordination with supervisors and volunteers can help maintain smooth operations and a positive environment for both staff and program participants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Summer Food Program coordinator or staff role, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Summer Food Program role, you need organizational skills, basic food safety knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with meal tracking software, compliance documentation, and food handling certifications such as ServSafe are typically required. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help staff interact positively with children, families, and coworkers. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and inclusive delivery of nutritious meals to children during the summer months.

What is a Summer Food Program?

A Summer Food Program is a federally funded initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to children and teens during the summer months when school is not in session. These programs are designed to ensure that kids who rely on free or reduced-price school meals continue to have access to healthy food during summer break. Meals are typically served at community centers, schools, parks, and other local sites, and are available to all children under 18 years old. Families do not need to apply or show proof of income to participate.

What is the difference between Summer Food Program vs Summer Camp Counselor?

AspectSummer Food ProgramSummer Camp Counselor
Required CredentialsNone typically required; food safety training may be preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; CPR/First Aid certification often required
Work EnvironmentFood service sites, schools, community centersOutdoor and indoor camp settings, recreational areas
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, government agencies, non-profitsSummer camps, recreational organizations, schools
Job FocusProviding nutritious meals to children during summerSupervising children, organizing activities, ensuring safety

The Summer Food Program primarily focuses on providing nutritious meals to children during summer months, often working in food service environments. In contrast, Summer Camp Counselors supervise children, organize activities, and ensure safety at recreational camps. While both roles serve children during summer, their responsibilities, credentials, and work environments differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Program jobs in California? The most popular types of Food Program jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Summer Food Program jobs? Cities in California with the most Summer Food Program job openings:
Summer Food Program jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Food Program job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,844 per year, or $23 per hour.

Summer Camp Food Operations Manager - Fremont

Steve and Kate's Camp

Fremont, CA • On-site

$22 - $24.50/hr

Temporary

Posted 8 hours ago

Job description

Job Details
Location: 300 Kearney St., Fremont, CA 94538
Camp Dates: 6/8/2026 (Mon) - 7/31/2026 (Fri) -- (additionally, one weekend to set up, one weekend to breakdown, and an orientation date)
Camp Hours: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (actual shifts will vary)
Hourly Wage: The hourly rate for this position is $22.00 - $24.50 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Steve & Kate's Camp in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on experience and other relevant business or organizational factors.
At Steve & Kate's Camp, we're pioneers in self-directed learning, and we're looking for meticulous multitaskers with strong time-management skills to run our on-site food program. As a Food Ops staff member, you'll sharpen your inherent organizational skills, submit food orders, and maintain our kitchen and food service items using hygienic practices, all while doing meaningful work keeping hundreds of bellies full. Given the simplicity of the Food Program, there will also be opportunities to interact with campers, collaborate with interesting coworkers, and help with fun around camp. You won't be making meals (just preparing and serving), so there's no culinary experience required - it's totally fine if you don't own one of those silly chef's hats.
Job Responsibilities
You'll spend most of your day preparing and serving and cleaning up snacks and lunch, ordering and managing food-service items and supplies, and maintaining all food-related equipment and spaces in sanitary conditions. Actual cooking will be very minimal since all of our entrees are ordered as fully prepared, and we'll teach you everything you need to know with our paid training and development program.
  • Do you have a love of food, even if you don't have professional experience preparing it?
  • Are you a fan of systems, organization, to-do lists, punctuality, and cleanliness?
  • Can you multitask like you're a Hollywood power agent all while keeping calm, level-headed, and nice? Especially the last one?
  • Would sparking up conversations with staff, campers, and parents fit in your comfort zone? If it is out of your comfort zone are you willing to grow in this area?
  • Do you have the stamina to keep up (literally) with 4-12 yr. olds bursting with energy and creative potential? And, if needed, can you bench press the equivalent of a kindergartner (at least lift up to 30 pounds)?

Additional Responsibilities
  • Actively supervising campers
  • Maintaining an organized and approachable activity space
  • Ensure compliance with Camp Policies
  • Reporting & Recording details of notable concerns or incidents, and of injuries to campers, other staff members, or self
  • Keeping track and being aware of camper allergies and dietary restrictions
  • adding daily updates and photos to campers' profiles

How do you know if you're the right candidate?
  • Does the idea of guiding kids while they make decisions for themselves excite you?
  • Are you calm under pressure and able to calm those around you?
  • Are you comfortable leading groups of kids on your own while still collaborating with a team?
  • Do you have the stamina to keep up (literally) with 4-12 year old's bursting with energy and creative potential? And, can you bench press a kindergartener (just kidding -- can you lift up to 40 pounds)?
  • Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge & learning something new (even if a third grade is doing the teaching)?

Job Requirements
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Minimum of 2 months experience working with camp-age children, with 1 year preferred, in either a professional, personal or volunteer setting
  • First Aid & CPR Certified prior to Day 1 of Camp (some locations may require additional certifications)
  • ServeSafe Food Handler Certification (provided if needed)
  • By applying and accepting an offer, you are giving Steve & Kate's permission to email or text you

Physical Requirements
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Steve & Kate's Camp, Bright Horizons', and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in a schooled-aged camp setting to provide supervision, care, program delivery, and services per Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons' policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Steve & Kate's Camp's care and the employee.
Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons comply with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations. The full set of physical requirements for this role are as follows:
  • Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.
  • Organize and maintain clean and accessible activity spaces.
  • Assist in camp set-up and breakdown during move-in and out weekends.
  • Stand for long periods while supervising children and facilitating activities.
  • Participate in athletic games.
Benefits:
  • Where local regulations mandate, this position is eligible for sick time.
Deadline to Apply: This posting is anticipated to remain open until April 15, 2026.

Apply