JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — IDEA Public Schools’ Child Nutrition Program will serve free meals this summer to any child in the community aged 18 years and younger, from June 5 through July 26.
Duval County
The summer meals will include breakfast and lunch and must be eaten in the cafeteria at IDEA Bassett and IDEA River Bluff, 1845 Bassett Road and 2354 University Blvd. respectively, Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food service will be closed on federal holidays, including June 19 and from July 1-5.
The meals offer a source of nutrition when school is out for summer vacation, according to a release from the organization, which cited Feeding America's statistic that 1 in 5 children in Florida face hunger.
“Healthy nutrition is important for all children in our community, not just while they are in a classroom learning, but year-round,” Vice President of the Child Nutrition Program at IDEA Public Schools Fernando Aguilar said. “With over 660,000 children across Florida at risk of going hungry, we are excited to be able to provide nutritious meals while relieving families of the potential financial burden they can experience over the summertime.”
For more information on IDEA Public Schools, visit ideapublicschools.org. To learn more about the free summer meals program or to request an interview with the Child Nutrition Program team, contact lynnette.montemayor@ideapublicschools.org.
The program is made possible through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, the release said.
Here are where more meals will be provided from June 10 to August 2 across Duval County:
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
Monday-Friday, 12-1 p.m.
- Dallas Graham Branch Library, 2304 Myrtle Ave. N.
- University Park Branch Library, 3435 University Blvd. N.
Monday-Friday, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Bradham and Brooks Branch Library, 1755 Edgewood Ave. W.
- Regency Square Branch Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd.
Monday-Friday, 1-2 p.m.
- Highlands Regional Library, 1826 Dunn Ave.
- Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library, 6887 103rd St.
Free meals will be available for children and teens 18 and younger at several Jacksonville libraries beginning Friday.
From June 10-Aug. 2, students up to 18 years old can get a free meal at one of eight library locations across Jacksonville. No signup or application is necessary. Each meal includes protein, fruit or veggie, and a drink, a Jacksonville Public Library release said.
No meals will be provided on June 19 for Juneteenth, and on July 4.
The list of libraries hosting the program is as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
Monday-Friday, 12-1 p.m.
- Dallas Graham Branch Library, 2304 Myrtle Ave. N.
- University Park Branch Library, 3435 University Blvd. N.
Monday-Friday, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Bradham and Brooks Branch Library, 1755 Edgewood Ave. W.
- Regency Square Branch Library, 9900 Regency Square Blvd.
Monday-Friday, 1-2 p.m.
- Highlands Regional Library, 1826 Dunn Ave.
- Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library, 6887 103rd St.
For other (non-library) locations and updates, visit www.summerbreakspot.org, click on "Find a site," call 211, or text FOOD to 304-304.
Clay County
The Clay County District Schools & Nutrition Services' 2024 Summer Feeding Program is offering free breakfast and lunch at several schools from June 10 to July 26. The program is available for kids and teens 18 and under. No application is required.
See the attached post for times, locations and schools participating:
