Millions of kids rely on the free and reduced lunch program during the school year to keep their bellies full and give them good nutrition. That need doesn’t subside during the summer, when parents who struggle with already-tight budgets find themselves having to squeeze even more meals out of their small allotment.
If you’re one of those moms who is struggling to feed your kids well this summer (or you know someone who is), there’s good news! The USDA Food & Nutrition Services offers the Summer Food Service Program, providing free meals to kids all summer long.
Many programs are hosted in schools, but others are offered at various other locations in your community. All are totally free for kids and teens under 18, and most don’t even require any type of income or citizenship verification. Check out the links below to find a site near you! You can also text ‘FOOD’ to 877-877 to receive a message with a nearby location. We tested this phone number. Once texting you will need to provide a zip code.
National Search Tool (all states): http://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks
Schools get out at different times in different states, so new sites will be added as we approach summer. Be sure to read the details carefully as not all sites are open every day and may have limited dates. If you have any questions, contact the site for clarification!
