SPRINGFIELD – Illinois' summer meals programs, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and funded by the U.S Department of Agriculture, served more than 5.2 million meals in 2019. However, 35 counties did not have any summer meals serving sites. ISBE is seeking additional sponsors to expand access to healthy food in between school years.

Illinois' summer meals programs provide free meals and snacks to children through age 18 and to children with disabilities through age 21 when schools are not in session. Sponsors receive reimbursement for the number of meals served.

“Summer meals are part of holistic, wraparound services that make sure students come back to school ready to have a great year," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “Illinois' summer meals programs help to fill the gaps many families face during the summer months. Serving sites often provide enrichment activities in addition to meals. ISBE thanks all the current program administrators and encourages all eligible organizations to help Illinois ensure all children in every single county have access to nutritious food when the school year ends."

Valley View School District 365U added two new serving locations, in addition to a new mobile route. Several food service managers used a school bus to serve students at various stops in the community. In total, the district operated nine sites and served approximately 34,000 meals in 2019.

“Being a summer meals sponsor has allowed us to build stronger relationships with students and families," said Valley View School District 365U Superintendent Dr. James A. Mitchem Jr. “Our nutrition staff do an incredible job to make sure that every student has access to high quality and nutritious meals year round, so they come to school in the fall healthy and ready to learn. We encourage every school district to offer a summer meals program."

ISBE's Nutrition Department is holding workshops across the state starting in March for school districts, community organizations, churches, camps, park districts, and others interested in serving as sponsors. The training is required to become a new sponsor.

The workshops are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the following dates and locations with on-site registration beginning at 8 a.m.

• March 4 in Marion
• March 18 in Fairview Heights
• March 25 in Alsip
• April 8 in Peoria
• April 15 in Schaumburg
• May 6 in Springfield

Required workshops for current sponsors are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon March 19 in Fairview Heights and March 26 in Alsip.

Register and find more information for all trainings and workshops at webprod1.isbe.net/cnscalendar/asp/eventlist.asp.

ISBE partners with No Kid Hungry and the Illinois Hunger Coalition to operate a hotline that refers families to the nearest summer meals serving sites. Participants can call (800) 359-2163, text “FoodIL" to 877-877, or visit summerfeedingillinois.org/.  

Organizations interested in participating in ISBE's summer meals programs can find more information by calling ISBE's Nutrition Department at (800) 545-7892, emailing cnp@isbe.net, or visiting www.isbe.net/Pages/Summer-Food-Service-Program.aspx.

Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/how-file-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.​