Summer food programs provide free meals to Pittsburgh children — Early Learning Resource Center Region 5

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Community Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are offering food programs to provide free meals to children while they are out of school this summer.

USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that provides free meals to children to ensure they receive the same high-quality nutrition when schools are closed.

Children ages 18 and under can receive meals through the SFSP. Meals are served at sites located in areas with high concentrations of children from low-income families. All meals and snacks served under the SFSP must meet federal nutrition standards.

The USDA’s Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder mapping tool provides directions to nearby meal sites along with hours of operation and contact information.

There are two types of summer dining sites: dining sites, where meals and snacks must be eaten on site and where children can participate in other enrichment activities with other children, and summer dining sites. Take-out catering, where meals and snacks can be picked up for consumption off-site.

This year, 17 locations in the Pittsburgh area are offering summer meals. To find the site closest to you, search the site finder map.

Community Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh

The Summer Youth Café is a federally funded child nutrition program that provides healthy meals while schools are closed for the summer.

The food bank sites are open free to anyone aged 18 and under. Once school ends for the summer, those interested in the program can visit the food bank’s website and follow the instructions to find the nearest location.

Schools or organizations interested in serving free summer meals to children should email [email protected].

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

The library will offer meals and snacks to children and teens in six locations on different dates from June to August. Locations include:

• CLP – Allegheny: Cold lunch offered Monday to Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 24-August 23)

• CLP – Beechview: Snacks offered Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-August 23)

• CLP – Hill District: Cold lunch offered Tuesday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 25-August 23)

• CLP – Homewood: Cold lunch offered Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-August 16)

• CLP – Knoxville: Cold lunch offered Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-August 16)

• CLP – Woods Run: Cold lunch offered Monday to Friday from noon to 1 p.m. (June 24-August 23)

Meals are intended for young people aged 18 and under and disabled people under 21.