Baltimore is marking the 50th year of its Summer Food Service Program, a city-run effort that supplies free meals to children while school is out. The program runs through Aug. 14, and city officials say no enrollment is required — any child may receive meals at participating sites.
What changes for families and where to find meals
The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development operates the program. Sites vary in hours and format, but the department has announced that all locations will be closed on Fridays from June 19 to July 31. Meals provided through the program are intended to make up for the loss of school breakfasts and lunches many students rely on during the academic year.
Milton Cox, chief of administration at DHCD and the summer food service program administrator, said the department is attentive to dietary and religious needs while also trying to serve foods that children will eat.
"We're meeting weekly, going through a lot of different food menus, making sure we meet dietary restrictions, religious restrictions, making sure we're equitable in our approach to the food that we serve, and just making sure that we get a consistent basis of what kids want to eat," Cox said.
Program operations and neighboring county schedules
The program emphasizes accessibility: children do not need to be enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools to receive meals. Operations and hours vary by site, and the program’s city-run component will conclude on Aug. 14.
- Program end date in Baltimore City: Aug. 14.
- Friday closures: June 19–July 31 (all city sites closed on Fridays during this span).
- No enrollment required; meals available to all children at participating sites.
Neighboring counties run their own summer meal schedules. The department highlighted these end dates for nearby jurisdictions:
| County | Program end date |
|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | Aug. 20 |
| Baltimore County | Aug. 21 (Summer Meals To Go runs through Aug. 20) |
| Carroll County | Aug. 20 |
| Harford County | Aug. 21 (meals must be eaten on site) |
| Howard County | July 31 |
Why the program matters in Baltimore
For many families, the summer months create a gap in consistent access to nutritious meals that school routinely provides. The city’s program seeks to reduce that gap by offering daily meals at community locations through mid-August. In addition to nutrition, the initiative provides a reliable point of contact for children and families in neighborhoods across Baltimore.
DHCD hosted events this week to celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary, providing meals and activities for youth and underscoring the longevity of federal- and locally supported efforts to feed children outside the school year.
Residents looking for specific site locations and hours can consult the city’s published interactive map of summer meal sites or contact the Department of Housing and Community Development for details on individual locations and any special requirements.
