The Summer Food Service Program is open to Illinois children ages 18 and under to fill the summer nutritional gap.

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, nutritious meals throughout the school year. The financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the need for summer nutrition programs even greater.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals and snacks to children and teens ages 18 and younger at hundreds of sites across the state.

To find a meal site near you:

• Text “FoodIL” to 877-877
• Visit SummerMealsIllinois.org
• Call (800) 359-2163

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) runs the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ISBE says it is using waivers from the USDA to allow meals to be served in safe, socially distanced ways, including:

• Curbside pickup
• Home delivery
• Provision of meals for multiple days of the week at one time

Parents and/or guardians will also be able to pick up meals and bring them home to their children.

“COVID-19 has turned many families’ lives upside down. Illinois’ summer meals programs help to ensure that one thing families do not have to worry about is where their children will get their next meal,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala.

To learn more about this year’s program, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.

The Summer Food Service Program is open to Illinois children ages 18 and under to fill the nutritional gap during summer.

School may be out for summer, but hunger knows no break.

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, nutritious meals throughout the school year.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals and snacks to children and teens age 18 and younger at hundreds of sites across the state. The Illinois State Board of Education runs the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To find a meal site near you, call (800) 359-2163, text “FoodIL” to 877-877, or visit SummerMealsIllinois.org.

“A healthy return to school starts with a healthy summer,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “Equity means ensuring students get what they need year-round. ISBE is grateful to all those who have stepped up to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program, making it possible for free and healthy meals and snacks to reach the families who need them.”

To learn more about this year’s program, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.

Program open to all youth age 18 and under to fill the nutritional gap during the summer months.

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, healthy meals. The Illinois State Board of Education manages the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to provide children continued access to free and nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months when school is out.

The SFSP program serves children and teens age 18 and younger.

To find a meal site near you, call (800) 359-2163, text “FoodIL” to 877-877 or visit http://summerfeedingillinois.org/.

“Children need healthy food during the summer as much as they need it during the school year,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “The Summer Food Service Program brings critical resources to communities across the state and helps all our children stay ready to learn. ISBE is proud to administer the Summer Food Service Program.”

To learn more about this year’s SFSP program, read the State Board of Education’s SFSP news release.