With the school year having ended on June 23rd, Chartwell K12, Springfield Public Schools, and Home Grown Springfield are helping ensure that no child goes hungry this summer through the Summer Eats Free Meals Program.
Free meals are now available to all children and teens ages 18 and under at more than 20 locations throughout Springfield, including schools, parks, community organizations, and neighborhood housing sites. No registration, application, identification, or proof of residency is required. Kids and teens simply need to visit a Summer Eats site during meal service times to receive a free meal.
“Summer should be a time for children to enjoy their break, stay active, explore new opportunities, and create lasting memories – not worry about where their next meal will come from,” said Andrew Stratton, General Manager of Home Grown Springfield. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Springfield Public Schools and community organizations across Springfield to ensure that every child has access to healthy, nutritious meals throughout the summer. Every meal served represents our commitment to supporting the well-being, growth, and success of our children, and we are honored to play a role in helping families thrive during the summer months.”
Summer Eats: Free Meals for Kids & Teens
● Home Grown Springfield, the Culinary and Nutrition Program of Springfield Public Schools, will prepare and distribute Summer Eats meals throughout the city.
● The program helps bridge the summer hunger gap by increasing access to nutritious meals when school is not in session.
● Free meals are available to all children and teens 18 and under.
● More than 20 meal sites will operate across Springfield, making meals accessible in neighborhoods throughout the city.
● Children do not need to attend Springfield Public Schools or reside in Springfield to participate.
Summer Eats sites are located at schools, parks, community centers, and neighborhood locations across Springfield. Families can find a complete list of meal sites, dates, and serving times by visiting the www.springfieldpublicschools.com or www.homegrownspringfield.org.
“Providing children with access to healthy meals during the summer is one of the most important ways we can support their well-being and readiness to learn,” said Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall. “We encourage all families to take advantage of this valuable resource and help spread the word so every child who needs a meal can receive one.”
About Springfield Public Schools
Springfield Public Schools is large and diverse with approximately 23,000 students, about 5,000 employees, and more than 60 schools. Along with strong basic skills programs, enrichment and extracurricular activities also add depth and scope to the overall educational program. The district’s pre-k to grade 12 curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all – not just some – of its students. For more information, visit www.springfieldpublicschools.com.
About Home Grown Springfield
Home Grown Springfield is the food service program of Springfield Public Schools working to make the highest quality school meals for Springfield students. Home Grown Springfield seeks to continually improve the quality of school meals by making our own, culturally relevant, scratch-made foods, and utilizing local whenever possible. By providing nourishing meals for students and expanding student learning opportunities through farm to school programming, we seek to fuel academic achievement in and beyond school. For more information, visit www.homegrownspringfield.org .
About Chartwells K12
Chartwells K12’s goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 18,000 associates in 4,800 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education, and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com. ■