The Indiana Department of Education encourages schools and qualified community organizations to participate in the 2024 Summer Food Service Program.

In addition, IDOE is looking to expand access to free meals in eligible rural areas that have no congregate summer meal service sites and could benefit from the provision of noncongregate meal service.

The program reimburses local sponsors that serve healthy free meals and snacks to children 18 and younger. Sponsorship is open to public and private nonprofit groups, including local governments, summer camps, religious organizations and recreation centers. Organizations are encouraged to partner with an existing sponsor, such as a school corporation, to serve students in areas where children may lack good nutrition during the summer months.

In 2023, close to 200 Indiana sponsors served nearly 2.5 million meals during the summer months. In addition to providing free meal service in a local community, many sponsors offer educational or physical activities for students.

Created in 1968, the Summer Food Service Program is funded and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered by the states. Participating organizations must adhere to all USDA regulations.

The program is funded through a set reimbursement rate based on the number of meals served to eligible participants. Any student 18 or under is eligible to receive meals through the program by visiting a meal site.

The application deadline for new sponsors is April 30. Information on program eligibility and sponsor requirements is available online at in.gov/doe/nutrition/summer-food-service-program.