Summer Food Service Program Overview

Learning doesn’t stop when school is out, and kids still need healthy food. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) gives free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches to kids in low-income areas. This helps them stay strong, play, and grow all summer long while they are not in school.

As an extension of the National School Lunch Program, which is designed to guarantee eligible children free and nutritious breakfasts and lunches during the school year, the SFSP was created to guarantee these same children at least one nutritionally sound meal a day during their summer vacations. The SFSP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and is administered locally by the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.

The 2026 program dates are Monday through Friday, June 22 - August 21. These dates are subject to change, reflecting adjustments to the Baltimore City Schools calendar adjustment.

FIND A SITE NEAR YOU

To locate a meals site, parents can call 410-396-0773, or Enter your zip code on the Summer Food Service Program's website to find more information.

Becoming a SFSP Meal Serving Site

Baltimore City encourages your participation in the program to assist us in providing this valuable service to the children and teens of Baltimore City. Any non-profit organization, church, day camp, community group, or city agency may qualify to become an SFSP site. 

Site Qualifications

Your organization must meet the following qualifications in order to apply to be an SFSP site:  

  • Site must be located in Baltimore City.
  • Site must plan to receive meals for a minimum of two (2) weeks and serve a minimum of 10 eligible youth, ages 18 or younger. Youth workers, ages 18 years or younger, are considered eligible youth.
  • PRIVATE HOMES AND PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE MEALS FROM THIS PROGRAM.
  • Sites 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.
  • 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 are interested in becoming a meal serving site, we offer two ways to apply.

Mail Completed Applications to:

Summer Food Service Program
1135 N. Gilmor Street - 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21217

If you need assistance or additional information, please contact summerfood@baltimorecity.gov.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.