(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), are encouraging families to explore programs available to help address the summer nutrition gap and ensure children receive healthy food when school is not in session.
“Summer should be a time for children to learn, grow, and enjoy time with family and friends, and good nutrition plays an important role in helping children stay healthy and active,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “We encourage Ohio families to explore the meal sites and resources available in their local communities this summer.”
As part of this effort, Lt. Governor Tressel is partnering with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and the Children’s Hunger Alliance to launch a public service announcement encouraging Ohio families to take advantage of the summer meal sites and nutrition resources available in communities across the state.
SUN Meals
Through the SUN Meals program, free healthy meals and snacks are available to eligible children ages 18 and under at approved community sites across the state. Individuals through age 21 who have disabilities and approved individualized education programs (IEPs) also are eligible.
How to Find a SUN Meals Site
Families can easily locate nearby meal sites using DEW’s interactive Summer Food Service Program site map or by visiting education.ohio.gov/kidseat. The map is updated weekly throughout the summer months.
Meals are provided at many community locations, including schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, parks, camps, community centers, swimming pools, libraries, and low-income housing complexes.
In summer 2025, Ohio summer program sponsors successfully served more than 6 million meals at 1,800 sites across 80 Ohio counties.
“More than six million meals were served to Ohio children last summer,” said Director Dackin. “We are proud to work with community partners to build on that success and help ensure students continue to have access to nutritious food that supports student wellness, development, and success.”
SUN Meals is administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sun Bucks
Some students who receive SUN Meals may qualify for SUN Bucks, a related program. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT or SUN Bucks) is a federal program that provides grocery assistance to eligible families with school-age children during the summer.
Families receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child, which can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Participation in any of the SUN meal sites does not disqualify a child from receiving SUN Bucks.
“During the school year, more than 900,000 children across Ohio count on the stability of a healthy meal at school each day, but when summer arrives, that dependable source of nutrition disappears. For many families, that means stretching tight budgets even further, while often scrambling for affordable childcare or summer camps,” said Michelle M. Brown, Children’s Hunger Alliance President and CEO. “CHA’s and other summer meal programs meet kids where they are — at libraries, recreation centers, or churches — and ensure children have the food they need to learn, play, and grow. We are proud to partner with other statewide organizations to make sure families know where their kids can receive summer meals.”
Foodbanks and Food Pantries
For families experiencing additional strain over the summer, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and its network of regional foodbanks and food pantries provide food and other resources to individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity. Find a local foodbank or food pantry by calling 2-1-1 or search the map at ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks.
“Through strong partnerships across the state, Ohio’s foodbanks are proud to be part of ensuring kids continue to be nourished and supported when school meals aren’t available,” said Joree Novotny, Executive Director for Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “We are grateful to Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel, and Director Dackin for their leadership in raising awareness of summer nutrition programs that support our youngest Buckeyes and for all of the public and private partners, donors, and volunteers that made them possible. By easing barriers to summer food access, we’re helping children be healthy and stay ready to succeed when they return to the classroom.”
Additional Resources
To learn more about these programs or find other resources for individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity, visit education.ohio.gov/kidseat.
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