Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program(SFSP), also known as the Summer Meals Program, was established to ensure that children and teens aged 18 and younger receive free, healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks during the summer months.

Program Guidelines

Summer 2024 sites will operate approximately July 1 through August 23, 2024. Each youth can receive up to two meals or one meal and one snack per day to be eaten onsite.

Children between the ages of 1-18 are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program.

The City of Seattle's Summer Food Program is an equal opportunity provider and follows the federal program's guidelines. See the USDA's full civil rights statement.

All Seattle residents regardless of immigration status are eligible for City of Seattle programs and services unless noted otherwise.

Sign-up is not required for the program. Visit your nearest Summer Meals site to receive free, healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks during the summer months.

Ways to find the nearest Free Summer Meals Site

• Enter your address to find free, healthy meals being served by organizations in your community. / Ingrese su dirección para encontrar comidas gratuitas y saludables servidas por organizaciones en su comunidad.
• Text the word "Food" to 304-304 / Envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra "Comida" al 304-304
• Call the USDA Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1 (866) 348-6479) / Llame al 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1 (877) 842-6273)
• Email SFSP@seattle.gov

You can also learn how to apply for Basic Food (SNAP) or find SFSP sites with UWKC's Summer Meals Search Tool that displays sponsor, site, and meal information with online mapping tools.

Apply to be a meal site

Check out the 2024 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) flyer for more info.

Watch this quick overview of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to learn if it might be a good fit for your organization.

If you think your site is a good fit, download our 2024 Summer Food Service Program Site Application and email it back to us at SFSP@seattle.gov by April 19, 2024, to be considered.

All Seattle residents regardless of immigration status are eligible for City of Seattle programs and services unless noted otherwise.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established in the late '60s to ensure that children receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. Children need good nutrition throughout the year, and the SFSP helps fill the gap during the summer for children 18 and under when school is not in session. The program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington State.

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Schools, and United Way of King County (UWKC) work together to recruit and support local sites in Seattle by providing reimbursements to providers who serve free, healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to children and teens age 18 and younger.

More than 18,000 children and youth in Seattle qualify for free or reduced meals, and 1 in 6 are food insecure. In 2021, more than 82,000 meals were served to 4,500 children who otherwise would not have a meal during the summer months.

Need Housing or Food?

• Call 2-1-1, Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Text to (877) 211-9274, Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 4:00pm
• Locate a Food Bank near you

Are You Experiencing Homelessness?

• King County Regional Homelessness Authority Resources

City of Seattle and King County Emergency Food Resources Map

Email: SFSP@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 386-1140