This summer, DC Central Kitchen is again participating in the DC Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP) and will ramp up our meal preparation and distribution efforts to help our city’s most at-risk children stay nourished.
June 20th marked the first day of FSMP, an initiative of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and DC’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) that provides free nutritious meals and snacks to food insecure DC children 18 and younger. FSMP was developed as a way for students in low-income neighborhoods to get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when school is out of session.
For the first time, in addition to providing free meals to 24 agencies participating in FSMP, DC Central Kitchen is also operating a mobile summer meals location – our Meal Mobile – to reach children in Ward 8 who are not registered for a summer program that participates in FSMP. The Meal Mobile will visit the Union Temple Baptist Church (1225 W Street SE) Monday through Friday from 1pm – 3pm, and be coupled with nutrition education lessons via our traveling, edible exhibit – the Truck Farm – on Wednesdays.
DC Central Kitchen culinary graduates are leading the Meal Mobile distribution efforts. By using their skills to give back to children in need, our culinary alumni are now gainfully employed role models in their community. The Meal Mobile offers a win/win of good jobs for at-risk District residents and quality food for kids who might otherwise go hungry.
All told, between the partner agencies receiving our meals and the Meal Mobile, DC Central Kitchen will serve approximately 6,900 healthy meals each week for youth all summer long.
DC youth can visit any of the summer meal sites to receive a breakfast, lunch, supper or snack (offerings vary by site). Use USDA’s free mapping tool to find a summer meal site near you.
The DC Free Summer Meals Program is a reimbursable meal program that is federally funded by the USDA and administered through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
DC Central Kitchen’s efforts to provide summertime meals and youth engagement programming are supported by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Carter and Melissa Cafritz Charitable Trust.