Dear New Yorkers,
The school year may be about to end, but at New York City Public Schools, we serve delicious food year-round. Our summer meals program is free and available to all New Yorkers ages 18 and under. There’s no paperwork, sign-up, or ID required. Students can enjoy tasty and nutritious breakfast and lunch options such as cinnamon burst pancakes, white bean and pasta primavera, soft turkey tacos, and summer squash.
Here are some important details: Our summer meals service begins on June 27 and continues through August 30. Breakfast is offered from 8:00-9:15, and lunch runs from 11:00-1:15. Meals are served Mondays through Fridays, with the exception of July 4-5.
Summer meals are available at approximately 500 locations citywide, including select schools, parks, libraries, and community pools (which provide meal service on weekends as well). To find the location nearest you, call 311, visit our summer meals webpage, or, starting June 27, text “NYCFOOD” or “NYCCOMIDA” to 304-304.
In addition to our standard summer meals program, we also offer lunch seven days a week via food trucks in Brooklyn (Prospect Park), Manhattan (Sara D. Roosevelt Park), and the Bronx (Ferry Point Park). Interested families can learn more on our website.
Finally, I should note that students in grades K-8 participating in Summer Rising will also receive free breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack at their Summer Rising site.
No matter the time of year, healthy food is essential for children to learn and grow; the research shows us that physical health is the foundation for academic success, social-emotional development, and overall well-being. I’m proud to say that in New York City, we are deeply invested in ensuring all our students are nourished and well-fed.
Staff, please spread the word about our summer meals program. Families, please take full advantage of our meal sites this June, July, and August. And to all, I wish you a delicious and nutritious summer!
Soaring high,
David C. Banks