Virginia Department of Health Kicks off Summer Food Program for Kids

Free Summer Meals for Kids are in Session

June 30, 2014

(Richmond, Va.) School may be out for the summer, but for many children across Virginia, hunger does not take a break. Thanks to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Virginia Department of Health, many children in Virginia are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch this summer.

When school is out, children who receive meals through school breakfast and lunch programs may miss out on wholesome meals due to their families’ limited budgets or other circumstances. To fill the nutrition gap, the SFSP provides healthy meals to children who may otherwise go without. Children 18 years old and younger receive nutritious meals and snacks during the summer at no cost to parents.

The Summer Food Service Program

  • Provides free, nutritious meals to children
  • Gives children access to healthy food when school is out
  • Is available to children and teens ages 18 and under

Families can find the closest meal site on a weekly basis by:

  • texting “Food” to 877877
  • calling 211
  • calling 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY)

Callers will be prompted to reply with their full address, and will then receive a list of the closest summer meal locations, including the address, phone number, dates and times that summer meals will be provided per location.

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 or (866) 377-8642 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.