About the Program

Are there children in your community who will go hungry this summer? Children in low-income communities are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. But those programs end when school ends for the summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program helps fill the hunger gap.

Good nutrition is essential for effective learning every day, all year long. Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. Children who aren't hungry learn better, act better, and feel better. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

The SFSP was created to ensure that children in lower-income areas could continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations, when they do not have access to school lunch or breakfast. But, although millions of children depend on nutritious free and reduced-price meals and snacks at school for 9 months out of the year, just a fraction of that receive the free meals provided by the SFSP during the summer months.

The SFSP is the single largest Federal resource available for local sponsors who want to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program. However, many schools and summer recreation programs are not aware that federal funds are available to provide free meals and snacks to children in needy areas during the summer months.

SFSP sponsors receive payments for serving healthy meals and snacks to children and teenagers, 18 years and younger, at approved sites in low-income areas. Schools, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations may apply to sponsor the program. Your state education department can tell you where and how to apply. All sponsors receive training before starting the program to learn how to plan, operate, and monitor a successful food service program.

If you are a sponsor, the payments you receive are based on the number of meals you serve. 

SFSP draws children into supervised activities that are safe, fun, and filled with learning opportunities. Children benefit nutritionally by receiving complete, wholesome meals, and parents benefit from some help in stretching their food dollars. The program encourages communities to provide safe places for children to go to be with other children and supportive adults. Parents know their children are receiving healthy meals in a supportive environment. Organizations receive funds to provide meals to complement recreational and educational programs that they have already planned.

From New York City to Corpus Christi to Garrett County, Maryland to Ware Shoals, South Carolina to Vinita, Oklahoma--in cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities across America, the SFSP can make a tremendous difference in the lives of children. Can the SFSP succeed in your community?

Why not take advantage of this valuable resource to provide nutritious meals to children in your community? Contact your state education department (in most states) to learn more about the SFSP today.

Last modified: 10/30/2008