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NEW YORK — As summer heat intensifies across the Northeast, states are rolling out programs to ensure children do not go hungry while school cafeterias are closed. In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont is urging families to take advantage of no‑cost meals available at hundreds of community sites statewide. The initiative mirrors the seasonal support offered in neighboring New York, though the Empire State’s approach differs. Instead of prepared meals, New York provides Summer EBT grocery benefits to eligible families. Both programs aim to keep children nourished, but Connecticut’s model is universal and site‑based, while New York’s is income‑linked and benefit‑based.
Lamont Highlights Universal Access to Summer Meals
Gov. Ned Lamont is reminding families that all children and teens 18 and under can receive free meals throughout the summer months through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The federally funded initiative operates annually to fill nutritional gaps when school is not in session.
“Access to nutritious meals is essential to supporting children’s health, well‑being, and success,” Lamont said in a statewide announcement. “We encourage families to take advantage of this important resource available in communities across Connecticut throughout the summer.”
The program requires no applications, no income verification, and no identification, making it one of the most accessible child‑nutrition supports in the region.
Where Families Can Go
Meal sites are located at schools, parks, pools, libraries, camps, colleges, municipal centers, and nonprofit‑run locations. Families can find nearby sites using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals Site Finder or by calling 2‑1‑1.
Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell‑Tucker praised the statewide network of partners. “Good nutrition supports healthy development and helps ensure students are ready to learn when they return to school,” she said, noting that hundreds of sites operate each summer.
A Longstanding Federal Program
Connecticut’s SFSP participation is not new. The state has operated summer meal sites for decades, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The federal government reimburses meal providers and sets nutritional standards, while local sponsors manage daily operations.
USDA guidance states that SFSP exists to “ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session,” a mission that has grown more urgent as food insecurity rises during prolonged heat waves and economic strain.
How New York Differs
New York’s summer nutrition support takes a different form. Instead of prepared meals, the state provides Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) grocery benefits. Eligible families receive $120 per child to purchase food during the summer months. The USDA also funds the program, but eligibility is tied to participation in SNAP, Public Assistance, or Medicaid, or to eligibility for free or reduced‑price school meals.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that nearly 1.6 million New York children received Summer EBT benefits this year. Unlike Connecticut’s universal model, New York’s program is means‑tested, and benefits expire 122 days after issuance.
Program Timeline
Connecticut’s summer meal sites operate through late August or early September, depending on local schedules. Families are encouraged to check site‑specific end dates through the USDA finder or district announcements.
As temperatures rise, officials in both states emphasize that nutritious meals — whether prepared or purchased — remain accessible to families throughout the summer, ensuring children stay healthy until school doors reopen.
