MARYLAND - As students begin their summer vacations, Maryland officials are working to ensure they continue to have access to nutritious meals while school is out of session.
The Maryland State Department of Education's Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to children and teens during the summer months when schools are closed. The federally funded program is designed to help fill the nutrition gap many families face when school meals are unavailable.
The program is open to children and teens 18 years old and younger. In some cases, individuals over 18 with disabilities who participate in school meal programs during the academic year may also qualify, according to officials.
Meals are available at hundreds of locations across Maryland, including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, faith-based organizations and other neighborhood sites. Some rural communities also offer SUN Meals To-Go options.
According to MSDE, more than 3.5 million meals were served to Maryland children and teens at more than 1,400 sites during the summer of 2025. State education officials say the program helps address food insecurity and ensures children have access to healthy meals while on summer break.
Families can find participating meal locations through Maryland's online summer meals site locator, which is updated regularly throughout the summer.
Additional information about SUN Meals, including site locations and eligibility details, is available through the Maryland State Department of Education.
