Pennsylvania is encouraging organizations across the Commonwealth to help provide nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Summer Food Service Program. New sponsors must apply by May 1, 2025.
Last summer, more than 200 organizations provided nutritious meals to children at about 1,650 locations throughout Pennsylvania. They served nearly 3.8 million meals – a 12 percent increase compared to summer 2023.
“Providing children with access to healthy meals year-round is a priority for the Shapiro Administration. The Summer Food Service Program is essential in ensuring that no child goes hungry during the summer months,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “I urge organizations across Pennsylvania to step up and sponsor meal sites, so we can continue to support our communities and give every child the opportunity to grow and succeed.”
Participating organizations are reimbursed for meals served to children who live in areas in which at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.
Participating organizations must be year-round, not-for-profit entities, which include schools, local, municipal or county governments, libraries, churches, fire and police stations, residential summer camps, and national youth sports programs. Organizations approved to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program are responsible for managing the meal service sites that provide the meals to children. Organizations serving rural areas may be approved to provide non-congregate meals, such as grab-and-go meals or delivered meals, to children in qualifying areas.
Most participating organizations may be reimbursed for up to two meals a day: lunch or dinner, and breakfast or a snack. Those serving primarily migrant children may be reimbursed for up to three meals a day. Camps may serve up to three meals a day, but they are reimbursed only for meals served to children eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.
