ISBE Seeks Sponsors to Expand Access to Summer Meals Programs Statewide

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking sponsors and sites for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to help ensure children across Illinois have access to free meals during the summer months. SFSP, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), served more than 4.2 million meals and snacks in 2025.

"Many children and families rely on meal programs during the school year to receive consistent, nutritious food, and that need does not end when school lets out," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "ISBE is proud to administer the federal Summer Meals programs and partner with schools and community organizations to ensure children continue to have access to healthy meals during the summer. We encourage additional schools and community organizations to apply to serve as Summer Meals sites and help expand access across Illinois in 2026."

In 2025, there were 144 SFSP sponsors and 1,433 meal sites in Illinois. An additional 166 sponsors with 355 sites operated the similar Seamless Summer Option (SSO), a Summer Meals program option for school districts already operating the National School Lunch Program. In addition to SFSP, more than 1 million meals and snacks were served last summer by SSO sponsors across the state. Overall, Summer Meals programs operate in 74 of the state's 102 counties.

SFSP provides funding to public or private nonprofit Local Education Agencies; entities of state, local, municipal, or county government; residential camps; organizations with 501(c)(3) status; and faith-based organizations to serve nutritious meals to children during the summer months when schools are not in session.

Each year, the USDA recognizes outstanding Summer Meals sponsors with the Turnip the Beet Award. Last year's award winners from Illinois were the Chicago Park District and East St. Louis School District 189, both Summer Food Service Program sponsors. The two sponsors were among 199 winners from across the nation that were recognized for outstanding summer meal programs that go above and beyond to provide children with high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals.

Organizations interested in participating in ISBE's Summer Food Service Program in 2026 can obtain more information by calling 800-545-7892, emailing [email protected], or visiting the ISBE Summer Food Service Program webpage and/or the Seamless Summer Option webpage.

The USDA has expanded the availability of a non-congregate meal service option for qualifying sponsors in certain rural areas to help expand access to meals. Traditional meals are required to be consumed onsite, but this flexibility allows for grab-and-go meals when requirements are met.

During the summer months, families in need of meals should contact their school for questions about available meal services. Families can also contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America. The hotline can be reached Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT at 866-348-6479 for English or 877-842-6273 for Spanish.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

​Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, Form AD-3027, which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
Fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or

Email: [email protected] ​