Food programs during the summer and beyond.
First published June 8, 2023.
Updated June 1, 2024
Stressed out on how to feed the children who always seem hungry? Check out the resources below to find out a local program near you.
Families/Caregivers | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)
Click on “Program Contacts”. You can then narrow down your search by program name, state, and region.
You can find summer food programs, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program also known as SNAP, Women Infant and Children Program also known as WIC. Check out your local churches and food banks for additional food assistance. Click on Hunger in America- Feeding America to help find a food bank near you.
Sun Meals (Summer Food Service Program)
As of May 31, 2024, the site finder has data for the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV. If your state is not included in this list, please check back. The site finder is updated with new state submissions every Friday throughout the summer.
In addition to eat-on-site Summer Meals, you can use the site finder to find pick-up locations for places where SUN Meals To-Go is offered. However, the site finder does not list sites offering meal delivery for SUN Meals To-Go. Please contact the site directly or your state agency to explore additional meal service options that may be available where you live.
Hunger in America | Feeding America
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is defined by the USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.
Food insecurity can affect anyone and does not discriminate.
Food insecurity is a global issue. In the United States alone 34 million people have food insecurity. Of that 9 million children are affected by food insecurity. It is unfortunate to report that 100 percent of United States countries has food insecurity. While this number is alarming, it is less isolating knowing that a person is not alone and there are resources available.
Some Causes of Food Insecurity
low income
lack of employment
lack of affordable housing
lack of healthcare or chronic health conditions
Bottom line
Food insecurity is a global issue and there are resources available.
Resources:
(n.d.). Hunger in America. Feeding America. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america
(2022, August 30). National School Lunch Program. USDA Food and Nutrition Service U.S Department of Agriculture. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/household
Sun Meals (summer food service program). Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved June 1, 2024, from https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals