Summer Meals

Summer is a time for connection, exploration, and fun! Summer nutrition programs make sure children and young people have the nutrition they need to do just that. During the school year, meals are available to kids through school breakfast and lunch. But kids lose critical access to meals during the summer when schools are out. To fill this gap, many local schools and community organizations nationwide operate summer meal programs to provide meals to kids at no cost.

Federal summer nutrition programs are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by a designated agency in each state. Most program providers choose to serve meals using the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is available to schools and qualifying non-profit organizations. School Food Authorities can serve summer meals through SFSP or the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Both programs offer free summer meals to kids and teens at eligible locations with some small differences in program regulations.

In rural communities, non-congregate meal programs like grab & go, home delivery, and parent pick-up can operate where congregate meals are not available in order to reach even more children during the summer months. In addition to summer meal programs, the Summer Electronic Benefit Program (Summer EBT), starting in summer 2024, will provide grocery benefits to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. 

Together, rural non-congregate meals, Summer EBT, and traditional congregate meals form a Summer Meals program that can better combat summer hunger.

Summer Meals Eligibility Map
No Kid Hungry Summer 2024 eligibility map

Summer Meals Eligibility Map

The No Kid Hungry Non-Congregate Summer Meals Eligibility Map will show you area eligible locations and if your area meets meets USDA’s definition of rural to qualify to provide non-congregate summer meals in FY2025.

 

To learn more about non-congregate summer meals in rural areas, click here!