Free summer meals for children

6/12/2023

The Ohio Department of Education is sponsoring the Summer Food Service Program again this year, providing children with free, healthy meals during the school break.

Participation is simple and no sign-up is required. To learn about meal times and site locations, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or visit education.ohio.gov/KidsEat.

The Summer Food Service Program ensures children ages 18 and under continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer when they do not have access to school breakfasts or lunches. Children with disabilities and approved individualized education programs may participate through age 21.

For those interested in sharing information about summer food service programs on social media, this toolkit includes sample social media posts, graphics and other resources to help  promote these programs and ensure more children and teens have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.

In summer 2022, more than 3 million meals were served to Ohio children through the Summer Food Service Program at more than 2,000 sites. The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program and the Ohio Department of Education administers it.