Maryland Children and Teens to Benefit from Free Summer Meals Program

BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is actively seeking public and private nonprofit organizations to partner in providing free, nutritious meals to children and teenagers this summer through the SUN Meals program, formerly known as the Summer Food Service Program. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aims to combat food insecurity during the summer months when school-based meal programs are not in session. In the previous summer, the program successfully provided over 3.5 million meals to young Marylanders at more than 1,400 locations across the state, underscoring MSDE’s ongoing commitment to addressing nutritional needs and bridging the gap in food access between academic years.

Organizations interested in participating can apply to become a sponsoring organization, responsible for the planning, coordination, and management of meal services at one or more sites, with an application deadline of Wednesday, April 15. Alternatively, organizations can apply to operate as SUN Meals sites, serving meals directly to the community under the guidance of a sponsoring organization, with their application due by Monday, June 15. The SUN Meals program is designed to ensure that children and teens continue to receive essential nutrition when school is out of session.

This federally funded, state-administered program provides reimbursement to organizations that sponsor meal sites in areas where at least 50 percent of households are eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, or where 50 percent of children in a summer program meet similar eligibility criteria. Most participating organizations can receive reimbursement for up to two meals or snacks per child per day. Special provisions allow camps and migrant programs to be reimbursed for up to three meals per child daily, with all meals and snacks adhering to strict federal nutrition standards. The program is open to all individuals aged 18 and under, as well as those over 18 with a mental or physical disability who are enrolled in a public or private nonprofit school during the academic year.

Families facing challenges with food security often find the summer months particularly difficult. The SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go programs aim to alleviate these pressures by increasing food security for children during this period. Whether children dine at a designated meal site or receive a meal box to take home, these programs ensure that families in need can access nutritious food for their children throughout the summer.

For those interested in becoming a new sponsoring organization or seeking further details about the SUN Meals program, inquiries can be directed to the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs at 410-767-0192 or via email at scnpmailbox.msde@maryland.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland State Department of Education

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