RIDE Announces Free Summer Meals Statewide

Published on Monday, July 07, 2025

State will hold a series of community events to assist families in completing the Meal Benefit Applications

PROVIDENCE, RI – Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced that the annual Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is underway in communities across the state, where free meals will be served to Rhode Island students during the summer months. 

“Access to nutritious meals shouldn’t stop when the school year ends,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Through the Summer Food Service Program, we’re helping ensure students stay healthy, continue learning, and feel supported through the school break. I encourage students to take advantage of these free summer meals and to help us spread the word.”

There are no registration or income requirements needed to participate in the SFSP program. The program ensures that any child age 18 years and under has access to nutritious meals and snacks during summer vacation while school is not in session. For more information on summer meal sites near you, including locations and serving times, contact the United Way by dialing 2-1-1. 

Additionally, RIDE will be hosting a series of events to assist families in completing the Meal Benefit Applications for the 2025-2026 school year, which helps determine the eligibility for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program that provides Free and/or Reduced Price Meals to students during the school year. Collecting these forms also helps determine areas that could serve as potential meal sites for the Summer Meals program in 2026. Events will be held throughout July, August, and September in communities across the state.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. For more information about the national Summer Food Service Program, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals.

RIDE is an equal opportunity provider.