The Summer Meals Program is a federally-funded child nutrition program that provides children with a daily, nutritious lunch, & breakfast or snack. Nutritional Development Services (NDS) is able to provide these meals to children 18 & younger free of charge in many neighborhoods in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Meals are delivered daily to program sites.
Lunch is designed to provide children with one-third of their daily nutritional requirements. It consists of one serving of protein, two servings of fruits and vegetables, one serving of milk, & two servings of grains.
Breakfast & snack also follow federal guidelines for nutrition. Your program can choose to serve one of these meals in addition to lunch. Click to view our summer menus.
If you are interested in offering this program, call NDS:
(215) 895-3470
This summer's program will operate from June 21st - September 3rd.
Check out the latest Summer Splash to find out more about this summer's program!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out if my program qualifies?
Programs must commit to serving a minimum of 25 children a day for at least one week of the summer. Programs in many Greater Philadelphia neighborhoods qualify. Programs must be non-profit. See below for a list of sample programs that we can serve. To find out if your particular program qualifies, call NDS.
How do I sign up?
To participate, you have to place an initial phone call to NDS: (215) 895-3470. A representative from your program, ideally someone who will handle the meals & paperwork, needs to attend a training meeting each year as well. Each following year you will receive a reminder letter about participating.
Will this cost my program anything?
The food and delivery are free. All that is required is prompt return of a weekly report.
What paperwork is involved?
NDS requires that you keep track of the number of meals delivered to your program, how many children were in attendance, & how many children ate each day.
What cooking is involved?
None. All meals are delivered "ready to eat." No preparation is required. Breakfast and snack items are served according to the menu and lunch arrives in its own box along with a milk (one per child).
Does my program need kitchen equipment?
If you have lunch and snack, you do not need any equipment. Ice can be delivered to keep these meals cold. If you have breakfast, you will need enough refrigeration to hold the cold items overnight.
Does the menu contain any items made with pork?
No, there are no pork products on the menu. All sandwiches with deli meats are made from non-pork products (turkey, beef).
What do I do if a child doesn't like an item?
If a child doesn't like an item in his lunch, unopened packages can be placed on a "share table" for another child to eat.
Are there larger meals available or are seconds served to older children?
No, all meals are the same size and children can only receive one meal. Most children will be satisfied if they eat their whole meal. Most programs set up a "share table" on which children place food that they are not going to eat. Children can choose food from the share table if they are still hungry.
How do the meals get to my program?
Delivery trucks will bring the meals to your program's location everyday before lunchtime. Each day you will receive lunch and snack for today, or lunch for today and breakfast for tomorrow.
Most federal programs have oversight. What can I expect with this program?
Monitors from NDS will visit your program during your meal service the first week you receive meals, and may return as needed. In addition, the County Health Department, the USDA, and the PA Department of Education will visit your program. All of these monitors are only looking at your summer meal service and the environment in which the children are eating. They do not have authority over any other aspect of your program.
Does my program have to be an "official camp?"
No, but it does have to be located in an official setting (i.e. church, fire hall, community room, tot lot, etc.). Many summer food service programs are located in non-traditional settings, such as WIC offices, libraries, apartment, and townhouse community rooms, Family Service Centers, convents, environmental centers, Welfare to Work Programs, colleges, or theaters. Some programs are started by community leaders - like ladies auxiliary groups or block captains - who see children in need and take action by setting up tot lots or play areas that only provide meals.
How can I participate in the program if I don't have 25 children everyday?
Talk to the other programs in your neighborhood. Try to collaborate with them. If you find another program to partner with, one of you can become a site and children from both programs can eat together.
My program has a school-year program, can we receive meals for it?
NDS sponsors several school year programs. For child care centers and schools, NDS can provide breakfast, lunch, and snack. These meals are not free for all children who attend your program. Meal price is determined by family income. For after-school enrichment programs, NDS can provide snack, hot supper, or cold supper. These meals are universally free, similar to the summer program, for eligible groups. Please feel free to contact NDS with questions about these services.
What history does NDS have serving the community?
Nutritional Development Services is an office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Human Services. NDS has served the community’s food needs for over 30 years, partnering with both Catholic and non-Catholic programs. In 2008, NDS helped community groups serve nearly 10.5 million meals. In the summer of 2008 alone, 604 programs participated in the NDS Summer Food Service Program to provide over 1.5 million meals. NDS also has an active role in anti-hunger activities in the community.
Other Information
NDS is a sponsor of this federal program that is run by NDS under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Sites have the option to be their own sponsor and can contract directly with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information about direct sponsorship see the PDE website.
For more information about the Summer Food Service Program, visit the USDA website.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 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, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
