Free Summer Meals for Children in Phoenix

Children enjoying nutritious summer meals together at a school cafeteria.

News Summary

Phoenix school districts and local libraries are providing free meals for children and teens during the summer months to combat food insecurity. Meal programs, including breakfast and lunch, are available to all children aged 18 and under without registration. This initiative is critical as many families in Maricopa County face challenges in accessing nutritious food. Local school districts, such as Phoenix Union, Mesa Public Schools, and Chandler Unified, have implemented these programs at multiple locations throughout the summer.

Phoenix – During the summer months, Menu Valley school districts and local libraries are providing a critical service by offering free meals for children and teens in need. This initiative is crucial for families struggling with food insecurity, especially given that at least 1 in 6 Arizonans faces challenges in accessing nutritious food.

The Phoenix Union High School District stands out in its efforts by supplying free breakfast and lunch to all children aged 18 and younger. Meal service will be available from Monday to Thursday, starting May 27 and running through June 24. Breakfast will be served between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., while lunch is available from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Additionally, adults accompanying children can purchase breakfast for $2.75 and lunch for $4.75.

Mesa Public Schools is also contributing to this initiative by offering free breakfast and lunch to any child aged 18 and younger. For adults, breakfast costs $3 and lunch is priced at $5. Nineteen schools within the district will host these free meal services, ensuring that families can access healthy options during the summer.

The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) will host free meals at multiple locations for children aged 18 and younger. The main sites include:

Chandler High School: Breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., available from June 2 to July 3.
Galveston Elementary School: Breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., available from June 2 to July 3.
Folley Public Pool: Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., available from May 27 to June 27.
Arrowhead Public Pool: Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., available from May 27 to June 27.

No registration or income requirements are needed for children to access these meals, and there is no need for them to be enrolled in CUSD. However, due to USDA regulations, all meals must be consumed on-site.

The summer meal programs collectively aim to address the significant issue of food deserts present in Maricopa County, where over 75% of such areas are located. These free meal programs serve as a much-needed resource in communities where many families struggle to find affordable, nutritious food options.

In recent years, the demand for these food programs has only increased, with local school districts serving approximately 60,000 meals over the summer months. Community members are encouraged to share information about additional meal locations or updates to ensure children have access to safe and healthy food.

USDA guidelines for free meals include provisions for children from families receiving SNAP or TANF benefits, as well as for those experiencing homelessness. The summer meal program is designed to be accessible – requiring no application process; children must simply be present to receive the meals.

For those looking for the most up-to-date information, participating school districts will publish updates about the meal programs on their respective websites throughout the summer.