Free Meals Now Available to New York Children at More Than 3,000 Sites Statewide Through 2017 Summer Food Service Program

Free meals are now available for children across New York at more than 3,000 Summer Food Service Program sites, the State Education Department announced today. Approximately 400,000 free meals will be served daily to children. The interactive USDA online map has been updated this year to provide an easy-to-use tool for families to find a meal site by address, city or zip code.

“The importance of these programs cannot be overstated; without them, thousands of New York children would go hungry throughout the summer months,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “Summer Food Service Programs help children and parents, providing a critical community service by engaging families at safe, fun summer events.” 

“Many families struggle to feed their children nutritious meals each day,” Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “Children still need good food, even when school is out. SED works closely with the USDA to administer this incredibly important program, to help make sure that our students don’t go hungry during the summer.”  

• About 400,000 free meals are served daily to New York State children through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, which is underway throughout New York State through September 4, 2017.
• Statewide, there are 360 organizations serving nutritious meals every day.
• There are approximately 3,000 SFSP feeding sites throughout the State.
• It is anticipated more than 20 million nutritious meals will be served to New York children this summer.

The Summer Food Service Program was established to ensure that low-income children, 18 and younger, continue to receive nutritious meals when schools are not in session. USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers the Summer Food Service Program at the national level and the New York State Education Department administers it at the state level.

There are a number of tools available to help find the site nearest you:

• USDA Online Map
• Text: Text “Food or “Comida” to 877-877
• Call:
• USDA National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-3-HAMBRE
• 211 in New York State
• 311 in New York City

For more information on NYSED administration of the Summer Food Service Program, visit our website.