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DFNS Programs

Department of Food & Nutrition Services > Programs

School Breakfast Program

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded program that began as a pilot based on the belief that good nutrition is essential for learning. Research has consistently linked eating breakfast to positive outcomes for children, including improved brain function and academic performance. The MCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) operates the SBP, providing an opportunity for more than 160,000 students across over 200 schools to eat a nutritious breakfast each day.

Breakfast Service Models

DFNS utilizes different models of breakfast service depending on the school each child attends.

Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program

The Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) breakfast model provides a complete breakfast for students to eat in the classroom. In elementary schools, after arriving at school and making their way to the classroom, students select the entree, sides, and milk of their choice to enjoy during morning instruction. In middle and high schools, serving models are unique to each school setting.

Traditional Serving Line

The traditional serving line model provides a complete breakfast to students in the setting of the cafeteria serving line. After arriving at school, students go to the cafeteria to select the entree, sides, and milk of their choice to enjoy before morning instruction.

Breakfast Kiosk

Breakfast kiosks provide students an opportunity to select a complete breakfast in a setting inside of the school but outside of the cafeteria. Students select the entree, sides, and milk of their choice from a central location to help facilitate greater breakfast access throughout the school.

Breakfast Menus

DFNS offers a variety of nutritious and filling breakfast entrees, fruits, and milk choices. Menus can be found here, by selecting each child’s school, and navigating to the “Breakfast” drop-down option.

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally funded program that helps schools provide balanced meals with nutrient-rich foods to children. DFNS operates the NSLP, providing nutritious, low-cost, or free lunches to students each school day.

Meal Pattern Requirements

To promote optimal health and wellness, every lunch offers five meal components including a protein, grain, milk, fruit, and vegetable. The amount and types of components offered meet meal pattern requirements that vary by grade level.

Afterschool Snack and Supper Program

The At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers federal funding to afterschool programs that serve a meal or snack to children in low-income areas. DFNS provides afterschool snack and supper programs to children at no cost in a safe space to engage in structured activities with friends and supportive adults.

Program Eligibility

Schools may participate in the CACFP afterschool meal program if:

  • The program is located at a site where at least 50% of the children in the school attendance area are eligible for free and reduced-priced school meals.
  • The program offers educational or enrichment activities after the regular school day ends

Summer Meals Programs

The Summer Meals Program is designed to provide nutritious meals at no cost to children 18 years old and younger. Our Summer Meals Program is designed to bridge the “nutrition gap” when school is out. 

The MCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services is the summer food service sponsor in Montgomery County and about 9,500 children are served at approximately 120 locations each day.

Our goal is to provide meals to as many children as possible!

Children 18 years old or younger may come to any of these locations Monday through Friday for a healthy and nutritious lunch.

Click here to view the list of 2025 summer food service meal sites. No appointment is necessary. However, meals must be eaten at the location.

SUMMER MEAL MENUS

Summer Bagged Sites Menus 2025:

English |  español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ 

Summer Cafe Sites Menus 2025:

English | español | français | 中文 | Portuguese | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does My Program Qualify for Summer Meals? Summer Breakfast

  • The program must be located in a school, or at a location close to a school, where 50 percent of the students enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. If the school is a middle or high school, the closest elementary school must have 50 percent of its students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
  • If the program is not located in a school where 50 percent of its students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, the program may still qualify based on the actual list of enrollees.
    • The program must be supervised by someone responsible for ordering meals and ensuring that food safety standards are met.
    • The supervisor MUST be present during meal time.
  • For a list of eligible sites, please download:  Summer Food Service Program Area Eligibility

If My Program Qualifies, How Do I Get Started?

Contact the Department of Food and Nutrition Services at 240-740-7400.

You will be scheduled to attend a training to learn how to order, store, and distribute meals.

What if I Don't Have a Program, But I Want My Child to Receive Summer Meals? 

Click here to view the list of summer food service meal sites. These sites are open for meal service to anyone 18 years of age or younger during the dates and times listed.  No appointment is necessary, however, meals must be eaten at the location.  This list is updated frequently, please check back for updates and changes.