Head to https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/summer for more information! ~ Cathy ________________________________ From: Michigan Department of Education <MDE@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov> Subject: Michigan to Continue to Offer Free Summer Food Programs for Children in 2026 [Michigan Department of Education Press Release] ________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Contact: March 5, 2026 Bob Wheaton<mailto:wheatonb1@michigan.gov>, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, 517-241-4395 Ken Coleman<mailto:colemank17@michigan.gov>, Department Spokesperson, 517-241-4395 Michigan to Continue to Offer Free Summer Food Programs for Children in 2026 LANSING – Michigan children will continue to benefit from free, healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months in 2026, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced. MDE will offer meals through two programs that are part of the Summer Food Service Program. Meet Up and Eat Up (SUN Meals) Children 18 and under can get free meals at Meet Up and Eat Up sites in areas qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Meals must be eaten at the site. “We want to put all Students First and make sure they have access to the healthy meals that they need to learn and grow—whether it’s during the school year or the summer,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “The Summer Food Service Program advances Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fmde%2F-%2Fmedia%2FProject%2FWebsites%2Fmde%2Ftop10%2Ftop_10_mi_strategic_ed_plan_promising_practices_1_pager.pdf%3Frev=10f3f05c8cb140989b91565cc9364ff8%26hash=08EF0354AD856A371B5D55C3E0C30C0B/1/0101019cbe563102-f418779f-8e7a-4f8f-95df-2bc901917b6a-000000/zhvCOZGGr6KUN23ptf8GEdjE0uVSJ1XYvViTVIprDVg=447> by improving the health, safety and wellness of all learners.” SUN Meals to Go (Rural Non-Congregate) In rural low-income areas, families can pick up meals to take home. Up to seven days of meals can be given at once and taken home. This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and run by MDE’s Office of Nutrition Services. Last summer, Michigan served nearly 9 million meals to children—almost 2 million more than the year before. MDE is committed to helping families stay healthy and to reducing hunger. Anyone who wants to learn more, or groups that would like to sponsor meal sites by providing food for children during the summer, may email MDE-SFSP@Michigan.gov<mailto:MDE-SFSP@Michigan.gov>, call 517-241-5374, or visit the Summer Food Service Program webpage<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Furl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.michigan.gov%252Fmde%252Fservices%252Ffood%252Fsummer%26data=05%257C02%257CWheatonB1%2540michigan.gov%257Cc7a1a6b5380f454efe3908de79fafb61%257Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%257C0%257C0%257C639082316023956560%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata=iLgXglwulGEyA11VwyE6BT5naq73nrE1S%252BYAu8F%252B2P0%253D%26reserved=0/1/0101019cbe563102-f418779f-8e7a-4f8f-95df-2bc901917b6a-000000/uhVBoI1OM6Y2DAHQxrsNsp8MHgWaVsbCnlTKyGpiTwg=447> for details. Information about locations and days and hours of operations for sites will be available for families to view on the webpage in late spring and updated daily after finalization of the schedule. ### ________________________________ [Michigan Department of Education Logo]<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fmde%2F/1/0101019cbe563102-f418779f-8e7a-4f8f-95df-2bc901917b6a-000000/y8LxCTVvh0bNUhDRtqRb6vGTNMd1dumru4Ogs4Zw2tM=447> Questions? 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