Children in New Mexico, aged 1-18, will continue to have access to free, nutritious meals during summer break and other school closures.
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) confirmed this commitment with the announcement that it will maintain operating the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in 2026.
A news release issued on January 28, 2026 stated that the ECECD will not require registration or proof of enrollment to be able to join the meal program.
Additionally, individuals over 18 with mental or physical disabilities who participate in a qualifying school-year program are also eligible to participate.
SFSP’s main purpose is to serve free meals in low-income areas through eligible sponsoring organizations during summer months and other periods when most schools are closed.
According to ECECD, the organizations qualified for meal site sponsorship include public or private, nonprofit school food authorities; public or private, nonprofit residential camps; units of local, municipal, county, Tribal, state and federal governments; National Sports Program sites; and private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
SFSP-sponsored organizations may offer site-based, in-person meals and/or to-go meals for rural communities that qualify. The public can find a nearby meal site by visiting summerfoodnm.org or calling 1-800-EAT-COOL (1-800-328-2665).
SFSP is a federally funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administered in New Mexico by ECECD’s Family Nutrition Bureau within the Early Care, Education and Nutrition division.