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Summer Food Program Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Food Runner

Reston, VA · On-site

$500 - $600/wk

Opening summer 2026 at Reston Station on the Silver Metro Line, Ebbitt House will serve up Old ... Benefit from an Employee Assistance Program with legal, emotional, and financial support.

New

Food Runner

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$600 - $1.2K/wk

Benefit from an Employee Assistance Program with legal, emotional, and financial support ... Summer 2026). Apply now and take the first step towards a rewarding career! Even if you don't meet ...

The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with ... summer breaks when food service needs decline or cease). Any such periods during which you do not ...

FOOD UNIT LEAD

Radford, VA · On-site

$21/hr

The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with ... summer breaks when food service needs decline or cease). Any such periods during which you do not ...

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Summer Food Program information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$48.1K

$116K

How much do summer food program jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for summer food program in Virginia is $48,063.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,200.00 and $34,700.00 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 Virginia? The most popular types of Food Program jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Summer Food Program jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Summer Food Program job openings:
2026-2027 Applicant Pool-School Nutrition Services-Assistant Manager

2026-2027 Applicant Pool-School Nutrition Services-Assistant Manager

Chesapeake Public Schools

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

$15 - $20.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Chesapeake Public Schools rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

311th of 577 rated elementary and secondary schools


Job description

Requirements
Chesapeake Public Schools
JOB DESCRIPTION
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
School Nutrition Services (SNS) Assistant Manager
Department: School Nutrition Services
Pay Grade: Elementary U107; Middle U108; High U109
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
GENERAL PURPOSE
Responsible semi skilled work includes preparing and serving meals and cleaning cafeterias; related work is done as required. Supervision is exercised over school nutrition assistants and school nutrition meal service attendants in the absence of the manager.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Assures all serving lines are properly set according to the daily menu, and appropriate serving utensils are in place.
  • Assist in the preparation, cooking, and serving of entrees, bread, vegetables, and other food in accordance with the menu for NSLP (National School Lunch Program), SBP (School Breakfast Program), CAFCP (Child and Adult Care Food Program), SFSP (Summer Food Service Program), etc.
  • Assists with the operations of a school cafeteria and supervises a staff of school nutrition assistants and school nutrition meal service attendants.
  • Opens kitchen, sets up equipment, prepares cafeteria for serving.
  • Washes pots, pans, kettles, and other cooking utensils.
  • Operates dishwashers, mixers, choppers, slicers, steamers, ovens, and other food service and mechanical equipment.
  • Cleans work surfaces, eating, and food preparation areas.
  • Sweeps and mops and performs other custodial duties as assigned.
  • Assist in estimating and ordering food supplies and preparing for monthly inventory.
  • Assisting and creating and posting cleaning and work schedules.
  • Receives and stocks food supplies, maintains sanitary conditions, and follows HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) guidelines.
  • Serve as cashier and/or serve daily.
  • Reviews daily meal counts, counts and balances cash received, prepares daily deposits and deposits daily monies in the bank.
  • Completes daily worksheets and inputs information into OneSource production records each day.
  • Assists with preparing food based on production planning, maintains accountability of U.S.D.A. (U.S. Department of Agriculture) inventory, purchased inventory, and maintains production records daily.
  • Works with the Manager and Site Coordinator to maintain a safe and sanitary work environment and ensure the following of all policies and procedures.
  • Assumes responsibility of the SNS manager in their absence.
  • Performs related tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Any combination of education and experience equivalent to high school graduation and some food service experience in an institutional setting.
  • School nutrition experience preferred.
  • Possession of or ability to acquire an appropriate license(s), certificate(s), and/or endorsement(s) for a position as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and School Board. Current ServSafe Certification or equivalent required within 90 days of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • General knowledge of the preparation, cooking, and serving of food in large quantities; general knowledge of food quality and values: some knowledge of special dietary requirements;
  • General knowledge of the practices used in receiving and storing food in large quantities; general knowledge of kitchen sanitation and safety measures used in food handling and in the operation, cleaning, and care of utensils, equipment and work area;
  • Ability to supervise the work of others;
  • Ability to prepare reports;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, students and school staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects;
  • Work requires stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions;
  • Vocal communication and problem solving skills are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly;
  • Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, basic use of math skills, use of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts at or within arms length, operation of machines, and determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work;
  • The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions, extreme heat, noise, hazards, and atmospheric conditions.
  • The worker may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.
  • May require temporary assignments in multiple schools as needed.

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