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.
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.
Are my children eligible?
Your children are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program if they are between the ages of 1-18.
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 here.
Are you ready to find your 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.