Children and teens age 18 and younger can get free breakfast and lunch this summer through Alachua County Public Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services Department.
Funded by the federal government, the Summer Meals Program is available to all children, regardless of household income. Meals will be offered at about 70 sites, including area schools and community locations.
Children do not need to be enrolled in a specific school or program to participate, and prior eligibility for free or reduced-price meals during the school year is not required.
The program is designed to provide healthy, balanced meals while school is out for summer break. Baby formula, cereal, and food are also available, though families must contact the FNS office at 352-955-7539 at least two days in advance to arrange pickup.
At most locations, meals must be eaten on site. However, 12 “grab-and-go” sites will operate in Alachua, Archer, east Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, Newberry, Waldo and at the School Board’s Sivia Center, which offers a later pickup option. At these locations, families can pick up weekly meal kits on Mondays from June 8 through July 20. Each kit includes seven days of breakfast and lunch items to prepare at home, and these are the only sites offering take-home meals.
“Families can visit whichever site is most convenient,” said Jamie Dicks, director of the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department, in a press release. “There’s no need to register — just arrive during serving or pickup times and take advantage of the meals.”
Most sites begin service June 8, with some operating through July 24. Schedules and meal times vary by location. A full list of sites and details is available at alachuaschools.net/summermeals2026 or by calling 352-955-7539.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Federal grant supports free summer meals at 70 sites in Alachua County
Reporting by Staff report, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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