Summer Food Resources Available to Madison County Families Through Statewide Support Programs

As the school year ends and summer begins, many families across Madison County and Ohio face uncertainty when it comes to accessing consistent meals for their children. To help bridge this gap, several summer food programs are now available, offering nutritious meals and grocery support for children and teens throughout the summer months.

Free Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Under
Through the USDA Summer Food Service Program, children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free, ready-to-eat meals at participating locations. Some individuals ages 19 to 21 with mental or

physical disabilities also qualify. Families can:

• Visit https://bit.ly/CHASummer or https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
• Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (486-479) for more information
• Text “FOOD” to 304-304 for site locations

Summer EBT / SUN Bucks
New this summer, eligible families can receive $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits through the Summer EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) or SUN Bucks program. These funds can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets.

• Households already receiving SNAP, OWF, or Medicaid (with qualifying income) will be automatically enrolled.
• Other families may apply online at https://sebt.ohio.gov/application
• Benefits are loaded on an existing Ohio Direction Card or a pre-paid card mailed to households.

Families can check their eligibility or the status of their application at https://sebt.ohio.gov/status.

Produce Perks
Families using SNAP or Summer EBT can double their dollars for fruits and vegetables—up to $25 per visit—at participating retailers through the Produce Perks program. Locations can be found at https://produceperks.org/locations.

Local Food Pantries and Support
In addition to statewide programs, families experiencing food insecurity can connect with local foodbanks and pantries. For assistance:

• Call 2-1-1 to speak with a resource navigator
• Use the statewide pantry locator at https://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks

These programs are offered in partnership with organizations such as Children’s Hunger Alliance, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and the Ohio Department of Education, ensuring that no child goes hungry when school is out.

For more information and resources, visit https://ohiosummerebt.org.