Summer Meals Program again available in Alachua County; kickoff will be Thursday, June 5, at the Horizon Center

Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Children 18 years old and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch during the summer months through the Alachua County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) department. The Summer Meals Program, funded by the federal government, is open to any child regardless of family income. The meals are served at 79 sites, including local schools and other locations. 

The expanded non-congregate model is possible thanks to federal flexibility and local partnerships supported by No Kid Hungry Florida. This summer also marks the first time the school district’s Farm to School program will be integrated into the summer meal service.

Kickoff event will be held on June 5

The district is kicking off its summer meal program with a free community event on Thursday, June 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Horizon Center Farm to School Hub (2802 NE 8th Ave., Gainesville). 

At the event, families can pick up four days’ worth of free Grab & Go meals for children 18 and under, enjoy food tastings, meet local farmers, explore the school district’s farm-to-school gardens, and visit informational booths provided by local community businesses. The celebration marks the start of a summer-long effort to ensure all children have access to nutritious food while school is out.

All children are eligible

Children do not have to be enrolled at a particular school or program to receive meals. They also do not have to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals during the regular school year to take advantage of the program. Children do need to eat the meal on-site, and families going to schools for meals are asked to check in at the front office. 

The Summer Meals Program provides nutritionally balanced meals to all children during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. All children 18 years old and younger are eligible, and families can take advantage of the program at any of the local sites. Baby formula, cereal, and food are also available, although families should call the FNS office at (352) 955-7539 two days ahead of time to make those arrangements. 

This summer, there will be seven mobile sites, one each in Alachua, Archer, East Gainesville, Hawthorne (four stops), High Springs, Newberry (two stops), and Waldo, where families can pick up food twice a week to cover seven days’ worth of meals combined.  Participants will receive a bag containing ingredients to prepare at-home meals for breakfast and lunch. The mobile sites are the only locations that allow families to pick up meals to prepare at home.

“Families can take their children to the site that’s most convenient for them,” said Jamie Lovett, Director of the district’s Food and Nutrition Services department. “They just show up during the serving times and enjoy a nutritious meal, with no registration required.”

Most sites will be up and running on June 9, with several running through July 25. The dates and times that meals will be served will vary from site to site. Details are available at www.sbac.edu/summermeals2025 or by calling (352) 955-7539.