Tennessee Summer Food Service Program (Sun Meals and Meals To-Go)

Good nutrition can have immediate and long-term effects on child health and development. During the school year, the National School Lunch program provides food to Tennessee children in need.

When school is out, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) collaborates with partners to administer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and ensure Tennessee children have access to the nutrition they need to be well and grow to contribute to our state’s future.

What is the Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is one of several United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Nutrition initiatives that provide food assistance to school age-children in low-income areas. The SFSP is administered at the state level by agencies like TDHS. These agencies partner with approved community organizations (sponsors and meal sites) to offer federally funded food assistance during summer months according to federal guidelines.

How Does the Summer Food Service Program Work for Tennessee

In Tennessee, TDHS collaborates with sponsors and meal sites to offer SUN Meals (meals and snacks that are available at approved neighborhood locations) and SUN Meals-to-Go (meals that can be picked up by families in rural areas). These options vary by location and Tennesseans can learn more about local offerings by visiting the Find a Meal Site Page.

When Does the Summer Food Service Program Start
The SFSP generally begins offering meals to Tennessee children when school closes in late spring and continues until school opens for the fall term. Special provisions may be made for areas where schools operate on year-round schedules. 

Who is Eligible to Receive Summer Meals in Tennessee
Children who are age 18 and younger may receive free meals and snacks through SFSP. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who have a mental or physically disability. No application is required to receive meals at most meal sites, however some summer camps may offer SFSP meals on a case-by-case basis to families who share income information.

Is There a Cost for SFSP Meals
Summer meals are provided at no cost to the children served.

What is on the Menu
SFSP meals are prepared based on USDA nutrition standards and options vary by location. Contact your SFSP site to learn about specific menu items.

What to Do if There is Not a Meal Site in Your Area

If there is not a meal site in your area of Tennessee, other food resources may be available through TDHS and its partners: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers food assistance based on income and other resource guidelines. Details about the SNAP application process can be found on the program’s Applying for Services page.

Additional supports for Tennesseans facing food insecurity can be found on the TDHS Nutrition and Programs and SNAP Resources page.

Join the Fight Against Food Insecurity in Tennessee

Tennesseans who believe their city, county or neighborhood could benefit from having a local summer meal site can mobilize their community or their organization to begin the process of establishing a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor or meal site.

Organizations must complete the SFSP application process by May first to sponsor meals the same year. Details about the SFSP applications process for sponsors can be found on the Apply to Serve Summer Meals page and the Become an SFSP Sponsor, Site or Volunteer page which shares information about other partnership options.  

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (615) 313-4749

Address:
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
TN Department of Human Services
James K. Polk Building - 15th Floor
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.