Summer Meals for Kids: How to Find Sites and Plan Ahead

Summer break is a time for play, rest, and family fun. It can also change your household routine in a big way. During the school year, many kids eat breakfast and lunch at school. When summer arrives, those meals happen at home, and grocery needs can grow. Summer meal programs are designed to help fill that gap. This post explains how summer meal sites generally work, how to find one near you, and some simple ways to plan summer meals at home.

What are summer meal programs?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports programs that serve meals to children and teens when school is out. These meals are offered at community locations across the country. They are often called “summer meal sites.”

Summer meal sites are run by local groups, such as:

• Schools and school districts
• Parks and recreation departments
• Libraries
• Community centers
• Faith-based organizations
• Summer camps and youth programs

Meals at these sites follow nutrition standards. A meal might include milk, fruit or vegetables, a grain, and a protein.

Who can get summer meals?

In general, children and teens 18 and under can get meals at open summer meal sites. At many open sites, kids don’t need to sign up, show ID, or fill out an application. They can just show up during meal times.

Some sites are only for children enrolled in a specific camp or program. Rules can vary by site and by state, so it is a good idea to check the details for the location you plan to visit. For the most current information, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service at fns.usda.gov.

Meal options in rural areas

In some rural areas, getting to a meal site can be hard. In recent years, the USDA has allowed some rural sites to offer meals that families can pick up or have delivered. Availability depends on your state and local program. Check with your state agency or the official USDA site to learn what is available near you.

Summer grocery help

Some states also take part in a summer grocery benefit program for families with school-age children, sometimes called SUN Bucks or Summer EBT. Not every state participates, and each has its own eligibility rules and timelines. Check your state agency’s website or fns.usda.gov for current details.

How to find a summer meal site

There are several easy ways to find a site near you.

1. Use the USDA meal site finder. Search “summer meals” on fns.usda.gov to find the official locator map. Enter your address to see nearby sites, days, and times.
2. Text for help. In past years, families could text a keyword like “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to a national number to find nearby sites. Check fns.usda.gov for the current text option.
3. Call 211. This free help line can connect you with local summer meal sites and other community resources.
4. Ask your child’s school. Many schools share summer meal information before the school year ends.
5. Check your local library or parks department. Many host meal sites alongside reading programs or activities.

Questions to ask before you go

• What days and times are meals served?
• Is the site open to all kids, or only to enrolled children?
• Is breakfast, lunch, or a snack offered?
• Can kids take meals home, or must they eat on site?
• Will the site be open for the whole summer?

Planning summer meals at home

Even with meal sites, families still prepare many meals at home during summer. A little planning can help.

Make a simple weekly plan

Think about which meals your kids will eat at home and which they might eat at a meal site or camp. Plan around your schedule. Write down easy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for the week.

Our post on meal planning on a budget has a step-by-step routine that works well during summer too.

Easy, kid-friendly ideas

Breakfasts

• Oatmeal with fruit
• Yogurt with granola
• Scrambled eggs and toast
• Whole grain cereal with milk

Lunches

• Sandwiches or wraps with veggies on the side
• Quesadillas with beans and cheese
• Pasta salad with chopped vegetables
• Leftovers from dinner

Snacks

• Fresh fruit like apples, bananas, or watermelon
• Carrot or cucumber sticks with dip
• Popcorn
• Cheese and crackers

Let kids help

Summer is a great time to teach kids simple kitchen skills. Younger kids can wash fruit or stir batter. Older kids can make sandwiches or help plan a meal. Kids who help cook are often more excited to eat what they made.

Keep healthy snacks visible

Set up a snack bin in the fridge or pantry with ready-to-eat options. This can help kids make good choices on their own and cut down on constant snack requests.

Other food resources for families

Summer meal sites are just one part of the picture. Other official programs and community resources may help your household, such as:

• SNAP, which helps eligible households buy groceries
• WIC, which supports pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children
• Food banks and pantries in your community

Each program has its own eligibility rules, so check the official source for details. Our guide to food resources for families explains these programs in plain language.

Fun, low-cost summer activities

Many summer meal sites are paired with activities, like reading programs, sports, or crafts. These can keep kids active and engaged. Your local library is also a wonderful summer resource. Read more in our post on library card perks.

The bottom line

Summer meal programs can help kids get healthy meals while school is out. Use the USDA site finder at fns.usda.gov, call 211, or ask your school or library to find a site near you. Check each site’s days, times, and rules before you go. At home, a simple weekly plan and a few kid-friendly staples can make summer meals easier for everyone.