February 1, 2024 |Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Education, Healey-Driscoll Administration, Lynn Public Schools, News, Resources, State of MA, Youth

Massachusetts Prepares for Summer Eats Meals Program

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The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in collaboration with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), will launch the 2024 Summer Food Service Food Program, or Summer Eats, as it is known in Massachusetts, in June and hopes additional organizations will come forward to sponsor meal sites. 

Summer Eats is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to children when school is not in session. In Massachusetts, DESE administers the program. 

More than 520,000 children qualify for free or low-cost school meals during the school year, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made free school meals available to all students, giving them access to nutritious food without stigma while school is in session. 

During the summer months, children from low-income families lose access to those meals, and families frequently find it difficult to replace them. Summer Eats provides healthy meals to children in eligible areas throughout the state. Summer meal sites include schools and other community locations, from parks to summer camps.

“We made universal free school meals permanent in Massachusetts, helping students and families access the food they need without a hassle or stigma,” said Governor Maura T. Healey. “We’re grateful for the organizations that have stepped up already as sponsors, and we encourage more to join us as we work with the Biden-Harris Administration to advance access to meals and food security for students and families during the summer when school isn’t in session.”

“We need organizations in towns across Massachusetts to join us as we support access to nutritional meals for students and families through Summer Eats, supporting student food security even during the summer months,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 

“Many Massachusetts kids depend on school meals, and that need doesn’t go away just because of summer vacation. I’m proud of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s support for universal free school meals, and I know how crucial Summer Eats food access is for many families when school isn’t in session,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick A. Tutwiler. “I hope community partners will continue to step forward and work with us on this important summer effort.”

“Children learn and grow year-round, not just when school is in session,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said. “I’m grateful to all the community sponsors who make Summer Eats possible, and I hope additional organizations will step up to help us address this need.”  

Participation in Summer Eats has increased annually since the start of targeted outreach initiatives in 1992. Last summer, 115 sponsoring organizations fed thousands of young people each day at more than 1,100 meal sites across the state. The Department of Elementary and Secondary expects the program to grow again this year. 

Many Summer Eats programs will open before July 4 and will continue serving meals until early September. Sponsors operate sites with close technical support from DESE and outreach assistance from the Child Nutrition Outreach Program at Project Bread.  

For more information on Summer Eats, including how to become a sponsor, call Project Bread at 617-723-5000.

The above press release was submitted to us by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.