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TextFrequently Asked Questions
Fairfax County Free Summer Meals Program for Kids
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What is the Free Summer Meals Program for Kids?
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What are the benefits of participating in the program?
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Which institutions can participate?
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What is involved in operating the Free Summer Meals Program?
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Who is eligible for free meals?
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Whom do we contact?
What is the Free Summer Meals Program Kids?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service
Program (SFSP), known in Fairfax County as the Summer Meals Program for
Kids, provides reimbursement to the county for free, nutritious
breakfasts and lunches served to children 4 to 18. These meals help
children on free and reduced lunch get the nutrition they need
to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out
of school.
When school is out, the meals served as a part of the National School
Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are not available, and due to
families' limited budgets, or other circumstances, children will often
miss wholesome meals. The Summer Meals Programs for Kids fills this
gap.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
Site organizations benefit from the Summer Meals Program for
Kids by receiving wholesome meals directly to their meal site each
day in operation. Providing meals during the summer through the Meals
Program not only addresses children's nutritional needs, but it also
draws children into supervised activities that are safe, fun, and filled
with learning opportunities at diverse sites such as schools, camps,
faith-based organizations, and community centers.
Which institutions can participate?
To participate in the Summer Meals Program for Kids as a meal
site, institutions must be fully capable of managing a food service
program. Meal sites must follow all state and federal regulations, and be
financially and administratively responsible for running a summer
program. Institutions that are eligible to sponsor a Summer Meals Program
for Kids site include schools, community centers, parks, faith-based
organizations, apartment complexes, public or private nonprofit summer
camps, or local, county or state government agencies.
A meal site organization must be approved by the USDA. Open sites
operate in low-income areas where at least half of the children come from
families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty
level, making them eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.
Enrolled sites provide free meals to children enrolled in an activity
program at the site where at least half of them are eligible for free and
reduced-price meals.
What is involved in operating the Free Summer Meals Program?
Locally, Summer Meal Programs sites are run by approved sponsors,
including schools, community centers, parks, faith-based organizations,
apartment complexes, public or private nonprofit summer camps, or local,
county or state government agencies. Sponsors provide free meals to a
group of children at a central site, such as a school or a community
center. Food is delivered to the sites at no charge daily (Monday through
Friday).
Who is eligible for free meals?
Children 4 to 18 years of age, may receive free meals through
Summer Meals Program, as well as persons with disabilities, over age 18,
who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or
physically disabled.
Whom do we contact?
If you are interested in becoming a meal site, contact Brent Quarles
for the Free Summer Meals Program at the Fairfax County Department of
Neighborhood and Community Services 703-324-5330, TTY 711, or
Brent.Quarles@fairfaxcounty.gov. If you receive a recording, please
leave your name and number and someone will call you back by the
next business day.
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