School might be out, but free breakfast and lunch are very much in across Boston. The city has kicked off its Summer Eats program, serving no-cost meals to children and teens 18 and under at neighborhood sites all over town this summer. Meals are available at community centers, schools, libraries and housing properties, and families do not need identification or prior registration to participate. Many locations also pair the food with on-site activities, in a partnership that includes the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice, Boston Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services, the YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth & Families and Project Bread.
Mayor Michelle Wu rolled out the effort this week as part of the city’s broader summer support system, calling reliable meals a key safety measure for young people. “Reliable access to healthy food is one of the most important ways we keep our young people safe after school and during the summer,” she said, according to WCVB. The rollout covers more than 60 locations across Boston, with most sites serving both breakfast and lunch and select spots also offering snacks.
Where to find meals
Families can track down open Summer Eats sites through the city’s online Summer Eats map as well as Project Bread’s statewide Summer Eats site map. Project Bread also operates the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to help callers find nearby locations and get language assistance. Hours and activities differ by site, with some based at BCYF and YMCA community centers and others running out of Boston Public Schools, libraries or housing properties. For maps and detailed site information, see Boston.gov and Project Bread.
SUN Bucks grocery help
On top of ready-to-eat meals, many families will also receive SUN Bucks, or Summer EBT, a one-time grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school-aged child. Eligible households are often enrolled automatically, with cards mailed in June and benefits available starting in July. Families who are not sure whether they qualify can apply or update their mailing address through DTAConnect or call the SUN Bucks hotline at 855-425-8770, per state guidance. The state’s DTA communications guidance outlines full program details and timelines.
What meals include and program rules
Each Summer Eats meal is built to follow USDA meal-pattern guidance. Breakfast typically includes milk, a fruit or vegetable and a grain. Lunches include milk, fruits and vegetables, grains and a meat or meat alternate. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education notes that open sites may offer up to two meals or snacks per day, and federal rules this year require that meals be eaten on-site rather than picked up to take home. Many of Boston’s meals are prepared by Boston Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services at the district’s central kitchen in Dorchester as BPS scales up in-house production. For program rules and the statewide framework, see DESE, and for coverage of BPS’ food service program and its national recognition for fresh, nutritious and locally sourced meals, see Boston.gov.
Meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis and are free to any young person 18 and under, no paperwork required. Families just need to bring their child to a listed site during serving hours. For the full list of locations, daily schedules and the latest program updates, check Project Bread’s Summer Eats site map or the city’s Summer Eats information on Boston.gov, or use the hotlines above to get help finding the closest meal site.
