Children Get a Free Lunch in the Summer Food Service Program

Hillsborough County is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, going on June 12 through Aug. 9, to provide free nutritious lunches and afternoon snacks to children at more than 40 sites throughout Hillsborough County. These sites are in geographical areas where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year. 

Too often, many children are left searching for unhealthy foods to eat when their parents are working or not in the home. When there is not enough food to go around, their nutritional needs are not met and their choices are not always the best. 

The purpose of the Summer Food Program is to provide a balanced meal regardless of race, color, sex, disability, age national origin or income during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available.

Applications or eligibility are not required. Summer camp or summer school registration is not a requirement. Summer Food Program sites are located at schools and other locations in the community to provide meals to all children in the surrounding area, in addition to those enrolled in summer school. Any child age 18 and under can visit a participating site to eat a free lunch and/or afternoon snack.

The Summer Food Service Program for Children is federally funded and operated by the Hillsborough County Family and Aging Services Department. In accordance with Federal law, and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

The summer food location sites can be found under the 2013 Summer Food Program Locations link on the right-hand side of the Social Service’s webpage:  http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/socialservices.     

For more information, contact Summer Food Program for Children, at 813-272-5160.