Summer Meals Available for Chicago Public Schools Students Beginning June 20

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is launching summer meals programs to ensure students continue to have access to free, nutritious meals during the summer months. The Summer Meals and LunchStop programs will be offered at hundreds of school locations throughout the District, including all summer program locations. Meals will be available beginning Tuesday, June 20 at outdoor LunchStop locations across the District and beginning June 26 at the District’s summer program sites.

“Schools are the hubs of our communities and that doesn’t change during the summer months when students are out of school but still in need of essential school services, like food and nutrition,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “As students head home for the summer, parents and family members look to our schools to keep students healthy and nourished. Our Nutrition team will continue to work with school leaders, families and community members to ensure our students have access to the meals they need where they are needed most.”

Students who participate in summer programs, or who live in the area served by the summer program, will be able to access free meals – both breakfast and lunch – at their summer program site throughout the summer. The Summer Meals program is made possible through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Meals comply with nutrition standards set forth in the USDA’s Child Nutrition Program meal patterns.

In addition to the Summer Meals program for summer program students, children between the ages of one and 18 can access free and nutritious meals through the District’s LunchStop program even if they are not enrolled in CPS or a summer program. LunchStop will be offered at outdoor locations throughout the District. Children must be present to receive a meal and will need to consume the meal onsite. The summer LunchStop schedule is Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. from June 20 to August 9.

Families can find a Summer Meals or LunchStop location near them via the District’s Summer Meal Finder.

“Keeping our students healthy and fed is just as important during the summer months as it is during the school year,” said CPS Chief Health Officer Dr. Adawy Akintunde. “CPS is committed to ensuring our school communities are taken care of and our students continue to receive meals at hundreds of CPS locations throughout the summer months.”

Parents and students can also call (800) 359-2163 or text ‘FOOD’ or ‘COMIDA’ to 304-304 to find nearby summer meals sites, along with operating days and times.

For additional information regarding Nutrition Support Services programming, please visit the District's Nutrition website. School menus are posted at cps.edu/mealviewer.