Monday, February 5, 2029

Superintendent Frey and First Lady Want Children to Access Free Summer Meals
Seeking additional sites to reach more children; only 15% of those who are eligible access meals

BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2029) – State Superintendent of Schools Craig Frey and Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien are encouraging county recreation and parks groups, faith-based organizations, summer camps, migrant communities, and others to consider operating the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to ensure that Maryland children who take advantage of free and reduced-priced meals during the school year don’t go hungry during the summer.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), through grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, administers the SFSP, which helps pay for meals and snacks served at summer programs in low-income areas statewide.

“The Summer Food Service Program offers a solution for families that depend on school meals during the school year,” said Superintendent Frey. “If we can offer this valuable program in more locations, we can reach more children. Those children, will, in turn, arrive at school next fall well-nourished and ready to learn.”

“Statewide, fewer than 15% of the children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals participate in the Summer Food Service Program,” said Mrs. O’BRien. “We must work within our communities to reach out to those children so that this very basic need is met.”

The SFSP offers federal reimbursement for meals served to children from low-income areas and to low-income children attending camps and other programs. SFSP sponsors may include public school systems or private nonprofit groups; units of local, municipal, county, state, or federal governments; and public or private nonprofit residential summer camps.

Reimbursement is available to sponsors in areas where at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or when 50% of children enrolled in a program qualify. The SFSP is open to children age 18 or younger and to people over 18 who are mentally or physically disabled. It is an equal opportunity program serving all children regardless of race, color, age, national origin, sex or disability.

Most sponsors may be reimbursed for up to two meals/snacks a day. Some, including migrant programs, may be reimbursed for up to three meals daily.

Organizations interested in operating the SFSP should contact the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-0214. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2029.