About Summer Food

Summer Food Service Program for Children

Did you know that there are more than 400 sites in Oregon where children ages 1 through 18 can get a free meal and have some fun this summer? We have a searchable database of community sites across Oregon offering free lunches—and sometimes breakfasts and snacks—for all children.

Meal sites are hosted at a wide range of community locations, including parks, schools, community centers, churches, pools, etc

And because children find fun as important as food during summer vacation, many sites offer free or low-cost activities along with the meals.

This program is intended to serve children. However, in some cases, sites can sell meals to parents for a small fee, or provide free meals to parent volunteers. Check with staff at your local site for more information.

How the Summer Food Service Program Works

During the school year, thousands of Oregon children depend on free or reduced price meals each day. However, when school ends for the year, so does this important resource. The Summer Food Service Program is meant to help fill that nutritional gap.

Funding for meals is provided by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. All open sites are located in neighborhoods that USDA considers high need areas. However, no application or proof of income is needed to participate, and all children are welcome!

History of the Summer Food Service Program for Children

The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created by Congress in 1968. It is designed to provide funds for eligible organizations to serve nutritious meals to low-income children when school is not in session.

Summer Food in Oregon facts and statistics

In 2005, federally funded summer meal sites in Oregon served more than 1.2 million meals to hungry children!

Despite the large number of meals served statewide, Children First for Oregon and the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force estimate that only about 22% of eligible children were served by a summer meal program in 2005.

Participation has increased in recent years. In 2003, when OHRTF began focusing on summer meals, only about 18% of eligible children were being served.

More work still needs to be done to increase access to this important nutritional resource for Oregon children. In 2005, six counties had no open meal sites: Clatsop, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Sherman and Wheeler. Nine other counties had sites but still served less than 15% of their eligible children.