CHILD NUTRITION

Resources

Ensuring Access to the Child Nutrition Programs in the Event of School Closures: Click here

Tennessee Department of Education: Click here

WHAT ARE SUMMER MEALS?

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free nutritious meals and snacks to low-income children (ages 18 and under) during June, July and August when school is not in session. This federally funded nutrition program helps fill the nutrition gap for low-income children who depend on free or reduced-price school lunch and breakfast during the school year.

FIND SUMMER MEALS NEAR YOU

Meals and snacks are served at community sites across the state, including schools, community centers, parks, and libraries. You can find summer meal sites in your area by:

Visiting kidsfoodfinder.org
Calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE
Texting “Summer Meals” to 97779

TAKE ACTION

Find a site in your area and share this site locator with others: Site Locator
You can provide meals if you are a Summer Meals Sponsor. Contact DHS to get signed up. Email:  TNSFSP.DHS@tn.gov
Phone: (615) 313-4749

Contact nutrition@tnjustice.org to share stories about your meal site that is operating during the pandemic.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

SFSP

USDA SFSP FAQ: Click here

Q&A: USDA child nutrition guidance

TN DHS

DHS applied to waive the area eligibility requirement: Click here
DHS applies to let SFSP sites to waive the non-congregate meal option, allowing children to pick up meal or allowing sponsors to deliver meals to children: Click here

WIC

For more information on WIC: Click here
To Apply for WIC: Click here

WHAT IS SUMMER EBT?

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) will officially launch in summer 2024. Summer EBT provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.

Tennessee has opted into the program for 2024, which will support families struggling with hunger during the summer months. Tennessee has approximately 644,000 children who would be eligible to receive the Summer EBT benefit in summer 2024. However, the State of Tennessee has said that the program will not be adopted in 2025 and beyond.

Learn more by visiting our Summer EBT page!

SUMMER EBT PAGE

HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN TENNESSEE

Your donation helps us to end hunger in Tennessee by connecting thousands of children, seniors, and veterans to lifesaving food assistance programs.

GIVE TODAY

CHILD NUTRITION

HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN TENNESSEE

STAY IN THE KNOW!