The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) oversees the Summer Food Service Program, also known as Sun Meals, to support children during the summer months.
This program offers free meals to children aged 18 and under in low-income areas. Meals are available from late May through August. KDE works with school districts and community groups across the state to provide not only nutritious meals but also recreational and educational activities while school is out.
This summer, over 2,000 sites across Kentucky will serve meals to children. The number of meal sites and meals served has grown each year as more families learn about the program and take part.
In some rural areas, meals may be provided for several days at once. In certain cases, meals can be given “to go” for children, parents, or guardians to pick up.
Meal times and locations vary throughout the state. Families can find site details by visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder or by calling the USDA Hunger Hotline at 866-348-6479. These resources provide information about meal locations, service days, and whether meals are served on-site or available for takeout. For more specific questions, it is best to contact the local organizations offering the meals directly.
The Summer Food Service Program is part of a larger federal initiative called the National Summer Food Service Program. This program is funded and run by the USDA.
