Ellen Weaver State Superintendent of Education | South Carolina Department of Education
Free, nutritious meals are available this summer for children and teens aged 18 and under in South Carolina. The Summer Break Café (SBC) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) programs have opened hundreds of local sites across the state to serve these meals.
These programs, funded by the federal government and administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), aim to provide healthy meals during the school break.
“Summer meals are one of the most vital ways we support South Carolina students year-round,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “We are incredibly grateful to the school districts and local partners who will work tirelessly to ensure no child goes without a meal this summer. Summer Break Café offers more than nutrition: it provides partnership and peace of mind for struggling families. The result is stronger communities and a brighter, healthier future for our young people.”
From June through August, over 1,200 sites will offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at various locations including schools, libraries, parks, churches, and community centers. Meal options and serving times may differ depending on the site.
Certain eligible rural sites might also provide grab-and-go meals as non-congregate options for added convenience.
In 2024, nearly 3.2 million meals were distributed across South Carolina through these programs.
To locate a Summer Food Service Program meal site nearby:
- Visit the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder
- Call 211 or use numbers 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre
- Text "SUMMER" or "VERANO" to 914-342-7744
- Contact the USDA Hotline at 1-866-348-6479
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