Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS) joined the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, the American Dairy Association North East, and the City of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the commencement of the 2023 Summer Meals Program in Philadelphia. These agencies were joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and former Philadelphia Eagle, Jason Avant.

NDS provides nutritious meals to children in need throughout the summer months through the Summer Meals Program. This vital initiative ensures that children and youth aged 18 or younger throughout the Greater Philadelphia area have access to wholesome meals at no cost when school is out of session.

The Summer Meals Program is federally funded and operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In our region, it is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

All meals are delivered daily “ready-to-eat” and no preparation is required.  Summer Meals sites provide lunch and breakfast.  Meals include whole grains, low-fat milk, protein-rich foods, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition, all meals follow federal guidelines for nutrition, and lunches provide children with 1/3 of their daily nutritional requirements.

In 2022, NDS’ Summer Meals Program served 275 sites throughout the greater Philadelphia area and provided approximately 400,000 meals to children.

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Editor’s Note: To sign up for the Summer Meals Program, please call the Summer Meals Hotline at 215-895-3470 option 1. For more information about the Summer Meals Program, please visit https://www.healthymealsforchildren.org/summer-meal-program/summer-meals-program-faq/

For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/

Attached is a photo for publication purposes with credit to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Pictured is Jean Faulk, R.D., Administrator of Food Safety for Nutritional Development Services.

Contact: Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747 (office)