When school is out, access to food shouldn’t be. Each summer, the City of Philadelphia works with schools, community organizations, and neighbors to ensure children and teens stay fueled with nutritious meals.
This guide brings together information on where youth can access free summer meals, how eligible families can receive SUN bucks, and how organizations and neighbors can become Summer Meal sites.
Jump to:
- Free Summer Meals for Youth
- SUN Bucks Eligibility (Summer EBT)
- How to Become a Summer Meal Site
- Where to Find Free Food All Year-Round
FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES:
Find Free Summer Meals for Youth at phila.gov/food
Thanks to the schools, organizations, and neighbors who help operate summer meal sites, children and teens across Philadelphia can access free meals throughout the summer.
Free summer meals are available to all children and teens ages 18 and under at locations across the city while school is out, with no ID or registration required. To find a summer meal site near you, visit phila.gov/food.
Meals are served at locations including:
- Summer camps
- Recreation centers
- Playstreets
- Community-based sites
New locations are added throughout the summer. Families can find a Summer Meal Site near them by visiting phila.gov/food. Summer meals will be available June 15th – August 21st.
The Summer Meals Program is USDA-funded and administered by the PA Dept. of Education. Due to USDA regulations, summer meals must be eaten on site.
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
In addition to Summer Meals, families may also be eligible for SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), a grocery benefit program designed to help households buy food during the summer months when school is out.
Here’s what families should know:
- SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 grocery benefit per eligible child.
- Many children will receive the benefit automatically.
- Some households may need to apply.
- Benefits are issued on one EBT card per household.
Benefits are expected to be issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) beginning in mid-summer.
Families can use the PA DHS Eligibility Navigator to check eligibility and determine whether an application is needed. Applications will be available through the PA DHS Summer EBT website and at County Assistance Offices.
FOR INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY PROVIDERS:
How to Become a Summer Meal Site
Summer Meal Sites are locations across Philadelphia where children and teens ages 18 and under can receive free meals while school is out for the summer. These sites are typically operated by recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and Playstreets supervisors.
Each summer, partners across the city help expand access to meals by hosting sites in their communities. Organizations and individuals interested in serving free meals to children and teens can apply to become a summer meal site.
What to Expect as a Summer Meal Site
All Summer Meal Sites must meet the following basic requirements:
- Attend a required training
- Complete daily program paperwork
- Maintain proper cold food storage on site
- Provide a clean dining space for serving meals
- Ensure meals are eaten on site
Meals, trainings, and program support are provided at no cost.
How to Apply
Community-based Summer Meal Sites apply through an approved Summer Meal Sponsor to operate. In Philadelphia, there are two primary sponsors:
- Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR): to apply, call 215-685-2719 or email playstreets@phila.gov to request an application.
- Nutritional Development Services (NDS): to apply, call 215-895-3470 (Option 1) or complete the interest form.
PPR Summer Meal Sites
Community-based organizations in Philadelphia can partner with PPR to provide free meals for their summer programming. PPR can provide breakfast, lunch, and/or snack.
Organizations interested in serving meals must:
- Order a minimum of 20 meals per day
- Have proper refrigeration available on site
- Be willing to serve children who aren’t enrolled in their program
- PlayStreets
Playstreets close designated neighborhood streets to traffic, creating a safe place for children to play and receive nutritious meals during the summer.
To be considered for Playstreets, your block must:
- Participate in the summer food program. (Serve lunch and snack to children 18 and under).
- Have a block resident volunteer to serve as a Playstreet supervisor.
- Not be within two blocks of another approved Playstreet, playground, or recreation center.
- Be a small, one-way street ( numbered streets are not eligible unless they are dead ends).
- Have 75 percent of residents on the block sign the petition agreeing to the Playstreet.
To apply to be a PPR Summer Meal Site or Playstreet, call 215-685-2719 or email playstreets@phila.gov to request an application.
NDS Summer Meal Sites
Community-based organizations and neighbors in Philadelphia and the 5-county region can partner with Nutritional Development Services (NDS) to provide free meals for their summer programming or to feed children in their neighborhood. NDS can provide breakfast, lunch, and/or supper.
Participating sites must:
- Serve a minimum of 15 participants each day for at least one week
- Have appropriate refrigeration on site in order to serve breakfast
To apply, call 215-895-3470 (Option 1) or complete the interest form. Additional details are available in the NDS Frequently Asked Questions.
Summer Meals at School District of Philadelphia Schools
Many summer programs take place inside School District of Philadelphia (SDP) buildings, including camps, academic programs, and enrichment activities. When a summer program is hosted at an SDP school, meals must be provided through the district’s Division of Food Services.
Organizations that are already approved to operate summer programs in SDP schools should complete the Summer Meals application through SDP Food Services by the deadline listed on the School District’s website.
Don’t Forget: Free Food is Available Year-Round
Don’t forget: in addition to Summer Meals and Sun Bucks, the City of Philadelphia offers year-round free food resources for people of all ages and households.
No ID or proof of income is required at most food sites, just access to the food you need, when you need it.
