Summer Meals in Washington State
(WA State Summer Food Service Program)

Summer Meals Program

(Summer Meal sites are now closed)

The Washington State Summer Food Service Program (also known as the Summer Meals Program) is a federal nutrition programs that provides free meals and snacks to children and teens during the summer months (June through August). Summer meal sites are located in schools, parks, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. In addition to meals, many sites provide fun activities for kids. Sites may be open from June through August, depending on your community.

All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program. No proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

• Summer Meal sites are now closed. To find where meal sites were held in your community in 2011, use the Summer Meals Search Tool.
• To promote Summer Meals in your area, check out the Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit.

To learn more about Summer Meals and how you could bring a new site to your community, contact:

• Claire Lane, Food Security Program Manager at WithinReach 206-830-7642

Basic Food Program (food stamps)

Basic Food is a program that provides free money to buy food at grocery stores. It is the name for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, in Washington State. Basic Food helps families buy food with an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). EBT cards work like debit cards. You can spend your monthly benefits at participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers.

• Learn more about Basic Food and see if your family is eligible

For questions about the Summer Meals Program or the Basic Food Program, call the Family Food Hotline at 1-888-436-6392.