Kids Can Get Free Meals All Summer Long

This summer, every New Yorker aged 18 and under has access to healthy and nutritious food — no matter who they are or where they live.

Through the NYC Department of Education’s Free Summer Meals program, any young New Yorker who is 18 years old and under can get free, healthy, and nutritious breakfast and lunch this summer at designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks across the five boroughs. Sites are open Monday through Friday, with breakfast served 8 a.m. – 9:15 a.m., and lunch served 11 a.m.–1:15 p.m.—no registration, documentation, or identification is necessary to receive free meals.

Our breakfast and lunch menus reflect the DOE’s commitment to the highest standards of nutrition—in fact, our meals meet or exceed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) standards, and we do not use food additives such as artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Through our meals, we offer a variety of fresh fruit, whole grains, salads, and vegetables for children to enjoy.

To find a Summer Meals distribution site near you, use our official Find a Location search tool online. You can also text “FOOD” to 304-304 (“COMIDA” for Spanish speakers—standard text messaging rates apply) or call 311 to find meal sites near you.

Interested in obtaining Halal meals? Check out our list of locations for details.

Looking for Kosher meal options? Learn more about the five meal sites available beginning July 12 in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Summer Meals will be distributed from June 28–September 2, 2022. Please be aware that all locations, dates, and times are subject to change.

On behalf of the DOE, we wish all New Yorkers a great and healthy summer!

Banner photo by Thomas Park. Used under Creative Commons license. Original can be found on Unsplash.