DC Free Summer Meals Program

Hunger doesn’t take a summer break.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), known in Washington, DC as the DC Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP), provides reimbursement for free nutritious meals and snacks served to children 18 and younger. These meals help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

When school is out, the meals served as a part of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are not available, and due to families' limited budgets, or other circumstances, children will often miss wholesome meals. The FSMP fills this gap and parents benefit from some help in stretching their food dollars and by knowing that their children are receiving healthy meals in a supportive environment.

The Free Summer Meals Program served over 1 million meals to children and youth in the District of Columbia during the summer of 2012. Sponsoring organizations included:
• Public or private non-profit local education agencies;
• Entities of state, local, or municipal government;
• Residential camps; and
• Private non-profit organizations with 501 (c) (3) status.

The rates of reimbursement for the 2013 Summer Food Service Program are:

For meals served at rural or self-preparation sites:

For meals served at other types of sites:

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education can provide the names of the agencies sponsoring the Summer Food Service Program in the District of Columbia, as well as the name of the person to contact regarding when and where meals are served. You may also go to the Find a DC Free Summer Meals Site.

If you require this information in an alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD).

If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the USDA agency responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. For information about the 2013 DC Free Summer Meals Program, please use the following link: 2013 DC Free Summer Meals Program.

Announcements

• #SummerMeals Twitter Town Hall -- Friday, April 12 @ 3 PM EDT