What are School Meals and the Summer Food Program?
School Meals are free and reduced price meals and milk given to children from low-income families who are enrolled in Massachusetts schools. School Meals include School Breakfast, School Lunch, the Special Milk Program, and After-school Snacks. During summer vacation, the Summer Food Service Program provides free food for children and teens at parks, schools, community centers, and other approved locations.
Am I eligible?
Your child is eligible for free or reduced price school meals if your household meets the income limits. If you get food stamps or TAFDC for your child, the school meals are free. Your immigration status does not matter for this program. For the Summer Food Program, all children 18 and under are eligible for free summer meals.
How do I apply?
At the beginning of the school year, your child’s school will send home an application for free and reduced price School Meals. You should complete the application and return it to your child’s school. If you have questions or need an application, you should call your local public school department. For contact information, see the Massachusetts Department of Education’s School Profiles. The phone number of your local school department is also listed in the phone book.
For summer meals, children can just show up at a Summer Food Program site. There is no application or registration for the summer meals program. To find a site near you, see Summer Meal Sites on the Meals4Kids web site, or call the Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.