SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking additional sponsors to expand the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to serve more youth across Illinois with nutritious meals. Illinois' summer meals programs, administered by the ISBE and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), served more than 3.3 million meals in 2023. However, nearly half of the state’s counties did not have any summer meals serving sites.

“So many school children count on school breakfasts and lunches during the school year. This program helps to fill the gaps many families face during the summer months,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “We want to thank our many sponsors who help fill the summer nutritional needs of students in their communities and encourage other eligible organizations and school districts to participate.”

School districts, community organizations, churches, camps, park districts, and others helped serve more than 3.3 million meals last summer through SFSP. There were 140 SFSP sponsors and 1,598 meal sites in 47 of the 102 counties in Illinois.

Organizations interested in participating in ISBE's Summer Food Service Program in 2024 can obtain more information by calling 800-545-7892, emailing cnp@isbe.net, or visiting the ISBE SFSP webpage. School Food Authorities can also participate in the similar Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program to provide meals during the summer. SSO is an option for districts already operating the National School Lunch Program.

The USDA has expanded the availability of a non-congregate meal service option for qualifying sponsors to help expand access to meals. Traditional meals are required to be consumed onsite, but this flexibility will allow grab-and-go meals if the requirements are met.

SFSP provides funding to public or private nonprofit Local Education Agencies; entities of state, local, municipal, or county government; residential camps; organizations with 501(c)(3) status; and faith-based organizations to serve nutritious meals to children during the summer months when schools are not in session. The USDA recently announced the SFSP 2024 Reimbursement Rates for sponsors.

During the summer months, families in need of meals should contact their school if they have questions about available meal services. Families also can call 800-359-2163, text “FOOD" (or “COMIDA") to 304-304, or view the USDA online map to find nearby meal sites not located at their school that are open to all children and youth age 18 and younger. ISBE partners with the Illinois Hunger Coalition and No Kid Hungry to operate the hotline and text service.