Summer Food Service Program provides healthy meals and snacks to children 18 and under  

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.

Kids and teens can eat right this summer with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides healthy meals and snacks to:

• Children and teens age 18 and younger
• Any person 21 years of age or younger with a mental or physical disability that attends an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) certified school program during the school year

ISBE runs the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

There is no application or registration required to receive a meal. You also do not have to show proof of income.

To find a meal site near you:

• Call (800) 359-2163 (English or Spanish)
• Text “FoodIl” to 877-877
• Visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals

Please note that students who receive Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits can also still pick up grab-n-go summer meals.

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.