Learn How Your Business Can Become a 'Kids Summer Meals' Vendor

More than 168,000 people under the age of 18 face hunger in our communities.

This means one out of every five kids and teens across central and eastern North Carolina don't know where their next meal might come from. 

And these challenges are even greater during the summer months when school meals and backpack programs are no longer available. Parents have to come up with an additional 10 meals each week per child — at a time when the cost of food remains out of reach for far too many families.

That's where our Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) comes in.

SFSP is a federally funded, state-administered child nutrition program operated in our area by the Food Bank. Since 2008, we've partnered with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to serve breakfast and lunch to young people facing food insecurity. 

These Kids Summer Meals sites are hosted at easily accessible locations — including community centers, churches, and summer camps during weeks when schools are closed. Together we provide healthy food options, along with summer reading initiatives, activities, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Business Opportunities with the Summer Food Service Program

From June through August, we will contract with restaurants, caterers, and other food industry businesses to provide healthy meals and snacks at local Kids Summer Meals sites. Our Food Bank serves 34 counties across central and eastern North Carolina — based from branch locations in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Southern Pines, and Wilmington. We hope you'll join us! 

Join us for an upcoming vendor information session. 

If you are interested in contracting with the Food Bank to support Kids Summer Meals, please join us at an upcoming information session to learn more about how we can partner this year.

Each session is an hour long, with plenty of time for questions and feedback. We'll share what it takes to be a Kids Summer Meals vendor, upcoming trainings and learning opportunities, and how we can work together to promote your site in the community.

Just a few of the topics our Child Nutrition Team will cover:

  • Vendor qualifications
  • Delivery or pick-up scheduling
  • Technology, communication, and reporting requirements
  • Menus and reimbursement rates

Potential vendors will apply through a simple online form beginning January 30, with selections made and contracts finalized in the spring. We're recruiting in several regions, so please share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested! 

Vendor Information Sessions (Virtual)

Tuesday, February 3 @ 10:00am Wednesday, February 18 @ 3:00pm

Already have the information you need? Apply here beginning January 30.

If your business previously served as a Kids Summer Meals vendor or you've already attended an information session, it's easier than every to apply. Our 2026 apllication opens Friday, January 30. 

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