(WASHINGTON, DC) - The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announces the availability of federal funds to assist sponsors and meal sites participating in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Locally known as the DC Youth Meals Program (DCYMP), the SFSP provides DC youth with no-cost meals during the summer break. Qualifying organizations may apply to serve as sponsors of the SFSP through June 15, 2025.
The DC Youth Meals Program is designed to provide youth ages 18 and younger no-cost nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. Whether your family is spending the day at home, on the go, or participating in local summer programming, all youth in DC are welcome to sit down, and join us for a quick healthy meal at any of the 100 plus participating locations across the city.
The program runs through June, July, and August 2025. Meal sites are conveniently located at hundreds of locations across the city. The official 2025 program dates are June 18, 2025, through, Aug. 24, 2025. Meal site operation dates, days and times vary by location. However, beginning in mid- June, participants can call 1-866-348-6479 to find open meal sites participating in the District’s Summer Meals Program. Site information is updated on a weekly basis.
Eligible sponsors, and/or sites, must be 501c3 tax-exempt organizations, such as public and private nonprofit community-based organizations, school food authorities, faith-based organizations, housing authorities, and units of local and federal government. Public or private nonprofit day or overnight summer camps may participate as well. A for-profit organization may not apply as a sponsor in the program but may be eligible to participate as a site. All participants in the DCYMP program are served meals free of charge and are protected under the federal and the District of Columbia protected classes.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
For a list of open meal sites by ward and for more information on how you or your organization can participate in DC’s no-cost Summer Meals Program, please visit: osse.dc.gov/dcyouthmeals or contact:
Shaneka N. King
- Nutrition Program Specialist
- sfspdc@dc.gov
- DC Youth Meals Program | Summer Food Service Program