Summer Meals and Summer EBT Work Together to Curb Child Hunger  

Summer break can significantly increase hunger for kids and teens. The Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT are two federal nutrition programs that can help families access food when school is out.

Summer EBT provides grocery benefits to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Eligible families receive a $120 benefit on an electronic benefit card to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers. Most eligible children will receive benefits automatically, but some will need to apply. To learn more, visit NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) FAQ page. 

The Summer Food Service Program provides free summer meals for kids and teens ages 18 and under at schools and other community locations. At most sites, kids can just drop by to eat when meals are served. Grab-and-go meals are available at certain locations, but sign-up may be required. To find summer meals, visit SummerMealsNY.org (the map will be updated in early July as programs begin to operate) or call 211 or 1-866-3-HUNGRY.

Spread the Word about Summer Nutrition Programs 

Use the outreach resources below to let families know about summer meals and Summer EBT:  

• Hunger Solutions New York’s flyers, graphics, sample language, and other materials promote summer meals and Summer EBT.
• Summer meals outreach resources are available from the NYS Education Department.
• Summer EBT outreach materials are available from the NYS OTDA.

SNAP and WIC Help New Yorkers Access Food

Other federal nutrition programs can help families and individuals get the food they need. 

SNAP provides monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores and farmers markets. Outreach and application assistance are available from the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). Visit FoodHelpNY.org to find a NOEP Coordinator serving families in your community.

WIC provides healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to other helpful services to pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under age five. Families can visit WICHelpNY.org to chat with Wanda, WIC’s 24/7 virtual assistant, to learn if they qualify for WIC. Use our free outreach resources to help spread the word about WIC.  

Protect Benefits on EBT Cards from Theft 

Please help spread the word about how SNAP participants can protect their benefits from scam-related theft.

1. The freeze card feature in ebtEDGE accounts blocks purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions when the card is not in use. 
2. Users can block online or out-of-state transactions through their ebtEDGE account.
3. Users can change their PIN after every transaction to prevent others from accessing the account.

WIC Partners: Take Our Survey 

If you work with young children and their families, we want to hear from you. Please take our WIC partnership survey to help us understand how community partners refer families to WIC and how we can reach more eligible families through partnership activities. At the end of this 5-10 minute survey, you can opt into a raffle to win a $50 gift card!

Thank you for helping to ensure New York’s kids are well-nourished this summer and beyond.

Questions? Email Cody Bloomfield, Summer Nutrition Specialist at Cody.Bloomfield@HungerSolutionsNY.org.