Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Disaster Response

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Disaster Response

Managing Agency:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Program Description

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, healthy meals to children from low-income families when school is not in session. After a disaster, state agencies, food authorities, and sponsors may decide to open emergency program feeding sites when schools or daycare centers must stay closed.

General Program Requirements

All children and teens (age 18 and under) who visit an approved SFSP feeding site can get free meals. Meals are also available for people with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for the mentally or physically disabled.

If a community is in need, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) may waive the rule to serve meals only in low-income areas. State agencies may also allow feeding sites to be set up in closed schools if buildings are unharmed by the disaster.

Application Process

All children (age 18 and under) can get free meals at an approved site. No application is required.

Program Contact Information

To learn more, visit the Food Assistance for Disaster Relief page and read about “Child Nutrition Programs.”

If you need food help today, you may also call the National Hunger Hotline. Hotline staff can help you find food near where you live:

  • 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)
  • 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (en español)

To find FNS state and regional contacts, visit the pages below:

To find other FNS program contacts, visit the Contact Us page.
Last Updated: 07/27/17