Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

To become a site

Any non-profit organization, church, day camp, community group, or city agency may qualify to become a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) site.

Apply

To find a site

During our meal serving time of the year (summer break), you can select your Postal/Zip code and we'll show you the meal serving sites in your area. The Summer Food Service Program is not operating at this time.

Just because school is out for the summer doesn’t mean kids stop needing healthy food. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) gives free, healthy meals to kids and teens in neighborhoods where families may need extra help. This program helps kids stay strong and healthy so they can learn, play, and grow during the summer.

The program is paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and run in Maryland by the State Department of Education. In Baltimore, it is managed by the Office of Community Services within the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). It is like the free lunch program during the school year but runs during summer break. The goal is to make sure kids still get at least one good meal a day when school is out.

The Office of Community Services wants more groups to help with this program. If you are part of a non-profit group, church, day camp, community center, or city agency, you might be able to help serve meals.

If you want to join the program, there are two ways to apply:

Fill out an application on-line
Or download the form, fill it out, and send it by mail or email.

Send applications to:
Summer Food Service Program
1135 N. Gilmor Street - 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21217
Or email them to: Summer Food Service Program.

Applications are now open for Summer of 2025. The program will run Monday through Friday, from June 17 through August 22, depending on the school calendar.

If you're not sure if you qualify, contact the office and they will help you.

Need help or have questions?
Call: 410-396-1932
Someone will get back to you soon.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Thank you for your interest in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Please review the following Program Description and the Program Requirements before proceeding:.

Additional Program Information

Meal Description: Nutritionally, each meal meets 1/3 of the minimum daily requirements as devised by the USDA. The meals are prepared by a food service management company and delivered daily to your site location.

Please Note: Sites requesting breakfast must have adequate refrigeration. Breakfast is delivered with the prior day's lunch order and some components must be refrigerated overnight. The breakfast consists of cold cereal or bread/bread alternate, fruit juice and milk. Refrigeration is also required for perishable lunch components if the meal is not served within one hour of delivery.

Operating Dates: The Summer Food Service Program will operate Monday through Friday, from June 17 through August 22, pending verification of Baltimore City Schools' calendar. No meal deliveries will be provided on Juneteenth (June 19th) or Independence Day (July 4th).

Site Qualifications

Eligibility is determined by geographic location. A minimum of 10 eligible youth, 18 years or younger, must be enrolled at each site. Youth workers may be included in the count.
PRIVATE HOMES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MEALS.
Site requesting breakfast must have adequate refrigeration to store perishables overnight.
Sites are subject to a pre-operational inspection and must be approved by our staff.
Sites must plan to receive meals for a minimum of two (2) weeks or they will not be approved to participate in the program.
The site supervisor and at least one alternate must attend a mandatory 3-hour training session and agree to serve all meals in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
If you think you are eligible but fall out of this criteria, please reach out to the office to see how we can help you.

Thank you for your interest in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Please review the following Program Description and the Program Requirements before proceeding:.

Additional Program Information

Site Qualifications

Eligibility is determined by geographic location. A minimum of 10 eligible youth, 18 years or younger, must be enrolled at each site. Youth workers may be included in the count.
PRIVATE HOMES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MEALS.
Site requesting breakfast must have adequate refrigeration to store perishables overnight.
Sites are subject to a pre-operational inspection and must be approved by our staff.
Sites must plan to receive meals for a minimum of two (2) weeks or they will not be approved to participate in the program.
The site supervisor and at least one alternate must attend a mandatory 3-hour training session and agree to serve all meals in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
If you think you are eligible but fall out of this criteria, please reach out to the office to see how we can help you.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Baltimore City

To become a site

To find a site