Summer Meal Programs Serve Thousands of Youth Across Multiple US States

Across the United States, various summer meal programs are being offered to combat child food insecurity during school breaks. The Sacramento Public Library and Santa Clarita Public Library provide free lunches to youth at multiple branches, with Sacramento serving meals Tuesdays through Fridays and Santa Clarita offering meals Monday through Friday along with summer reading programs. Chicago Public Schools is also running a citywide summer meals program at hundreds of sites, providing breakfast and lunch to children ages 1 to 18 without requiring ID or registration, emphasizing the role of schools as community anchors year-round. Similarly, in Oregon, nearly 700 sites including schools, libraries, and parks serve free meals to youth, with no paperwork or immigration status verification required. These programs typically require meals to be eaten onsite, though some offer to-go options, and often include additional activities such as games and reading events. Collectively, these initiatives reflect a nationwide effort to ensure children have consistent access to nutritious food during the summer months when school meal programs are not in session.