Summer Food Service Program

 Low-income children who receive state-subsidized

 breakfasts and lunches at school are vulnerable to

 hunger when school is in recess during the summer.

 Family food dollars are stretched even further. For many

 parents, providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch every

 day for three months is not possible.

Who can participate?
NIFB sponsors summer programs that serve low-income children. NIFB first looks at the percentage of students enrolled in free and reduced-price meals at the nearest elementary school. If less than 50% of the students from the school receive subsidized meals, NIFB will request area income census data from ISBE. If neither of these methods qualifies the youth program, program staff must collect, maintain and submit parent income applications from all enrolled students, which must correspond to monthly attendance records.

What kinds of food do children receive?                                                                                                                                                                                             NIFB provides both breakfast and lunch during the summer. Each breakfast will contain ½ cup of fresh fruit, one serving of grains, and 8 oz. of low-fat milk. A sample week of the breakfast menu may look like this:

Lunches are cold and follow USDA meal pattern requirements. Each lunch will include 8 oz. of milk, 2 oz. of a meat/meat alternative, 2 servings total of fresh fruits and vegetable, and one serving of grain. A sample week from the menu might look like this:

Do programs have to pay for anything?
Qualifying summer sites participate free of charge. The USDA, private and corporate donations, and grants fund this program.

How will the meals get to sites?
Breakfasts and lunches will be delivered directly to sites on a daily basis by either a contracted vendor or an NIFB driver. 

What is required from summer youth programs?
Interested programs must complete an enrollment application. NIFB will conduct a pre-operational visit to ensure that the summer facility is capable of participating in the summer meal program. All key staff members must attend a training session provided by NIFB.


During the summer, NIFB stresses the importance of keeping meals refrigerated at all times. NIFB provides local health departments with a list of all operating summer programs in their county. Health department officials conduct unannounced inspections throughout the summer to ensure that food is safely stored and served.

Program staff must make NIFB aware of any closed days and/or field trip days.

How can I help?

NIFB relies on the generosity and talent of its of volunteers and donors.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Summer Nutrition Program, call (630) 443-6910 or email volunteer@northernilfoodbank.org.

If you would like to donate to the Summer Food Service Programs please click here.

Further Information

For more information call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org, ATTN: Youth Nutrition Programs Manager.

For information on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs, visit www.isbe.net/nutrition or call (800) 545-7892.

In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, you must write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800.795.3272 (voice) or 202.720.6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.