Summer Eats
Boston Summer Eats provides nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost across the City while school is out. All youth 18 and under are welcome to participate. No ID or registration required.
Check back later in the spring for information on 2026 Summer Programming.
The Boston Summer Eats program is co-implemented by the Mayor's Office of Food Justice, Boston Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the Greater Boston YMCA, and Project Bread. The program provides free nutritious meals to youth aged 18 and under.
The Summer Eats program is an innovative effort to lessen the summer food gap by increasing the availability of non-traditional meal sites. The goal of the program is to expand access to free and healthy meals for kids and teens in Boston.
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Kids Eat Free Flyer:
2026 SUMMER EATS LOCATIONS
Check back in late spring for an updated list of Boston Summer Eats locations near you.
About the Program
BACKGROUND
The Boston Summer Eats program is a partnership of the Office of Food Justice with:
- Project Bread
- YMCA of Greater Boston
- Boston Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services
MEAL SITES INCLUDE:
- BCYF and YMCA community centers
- Boston Public Schools
- Boston Housing Authority properties, and
- libraries, farmers markets, and community-based organizations.
Program frequently asked questions
FAQs- Check back in late spring to find a Boston Summer Eats location near you.
No. Meals are provided at no cost. And no paperwork or ID is required to receive meals.
Meals are provided on a first-come first-serve basis.
Each meal follows the USDA guideline for meal patterns.
- Breakfast consists of: milk, fruit/vegetable, and grains/bread.
- Lunch or suppers consist of: milk, fruits/vegetables, grains/bread, and meat/meat alternate.
Nope! At all Summer Eats sites listed in the map above, kids and teens can just show up and receive a free meal! No one will check an ID or ask any questions.
Activities will vary based on the site. More information about activities will be added later in the summer. To find out more about activities at a particular site, contact the organization who operates the site you would like to attend.
No, due to federal regulations, caregivers are not permitted to pick up meals for children and take them home. Meals must be consumed on site with the child present.
No, due to federal regulations, caregivers are not permitted to pick up meals for children and take them home. Meals must be consumed on site with the child present.
Provider frequently asked questions
Provider FAQs
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Sponsoring Organizations assume the total financial and administrative responsibility for operating the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Sponsors will hire and train staff to operate the SFSP, arrange for meals to be prepared or delivered, monitor sites, prepare and submit claims for reimbursement, and receive reimbursement for all eligible meals served.
Please note that programs interested in participating as a Sponsoring Organization must:
- Be a public or private nonprofit organization.
- Demonstrate administrative and financial capacity to manage the food service.
- Provide year-round service to the community.
- Agree to follow all State and Federal regulations as they pertain to operating a USDA Child Nutrition Program.
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If your organization meets these requirements and is interested in participating in the SFSP as a Sponsoring Organization, you must complete a New SFSP Sponsor Interest Form by June 5th, 2026. Please email a member of the Community Nutrition Programs Team at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with any questions about completing this form.
Any organization can be a meal site host! Previous partners have included the Parks Department, Community Groups, Boston Public Libraries, Farmers Markets, Faith-based organizations, and Community volunteers.
No, this is up to you and your staff to decide. Sites can choose to be open as many days from Monday - Saturday between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Kids Eat Free Flyer:
