Here’s how kids can get free meals this summer in North Carolina

Brianna Atkinson

The N.C. Summer Food Service Program is providing free summer meals for children across the state. More than 2,500 community sites will hand out breakfast, lunch, dinner and/or snacks through the program, which runs from mid-June to early August.

Becky Bryan is the Child Nutrition Administrator at Wake County Public Schools. She said the program is for any child in North Carolina this summer, and its goal is to help feed children, including those who might not have access to meals when school is not in session.

“We’re passionate about children and making sure they have food because food insecurity is not okay,” Bryan said. “Some kids really only get their best nutrition and food from schools. When schools are out for the summer that leaves a burden.”

Here’s what to know and how to get meals in the Triangle.

Who qualifies for summer meals?

Anyone 18 or younger can get free summer meals. You do not have to be a North Carolina resident or enrolled in the Wake County Public School System. There is no requirement to show ID and children do not have to be enrolled in free or reduced lunch programs.

How do I get a meal?

Counties have a mix of open walk-in and closed enrollment sites that provide free meals. Walk-in sites are open to the public and do not require registration. Meals served at walk-in sites have to be eaten on the premises.

Closed enrollment sites include locations like Parks and Rec summer camps, which parents can call to arrange meals for their children. Closed enrollment sites do not allow walk-ins.

Where are the walk-in sites?

There are 35 walk-in sites across the Triangle. Here are their operating dates and times.

Wake County free meals

  • Wake County Northern Regional Center: Meals will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 am to noon. It will operate from June 19 to Aug. 4, with the exception of July 3-4.

  • Black Farmers Hub: Meals will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 pm. It will operate from June 21 to Aug. 4, except for July 3.

  • River Birch at Town Center Apartments: Serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 26 and lasts until Aug. 3, except for July 3-4.

  • Poe Center for Health Education: Serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Starts on June 21 and lasts until Aug. 1.

  • Historic Oak View County Park: Serving lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 20 and lasts until Aug. 4, with the exception of July 3-4.

  • Governor Morehead School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until June 22.

  • Wake County Public Health Center: Serving lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 19 and lasts until Aug. 9, except for July 3.

  • New Beginnings Ministries: Serving lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 19 and lasts until Aug. 17, except for July 3-4.

  • Chatham Estates: Serving dinner from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 19 and lasts until Aug. 17, except for July 4.

  • First United Methodist Church Cary: Serving dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Starts on June 16 and lasts until Aug. 16.

  • Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church: Serving breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10 am and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Starts on June 19 and lasts until Aug. 23, with the exception of July 4.

  • Chatham Forest Apartments: Serving dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Starts on June 20 and lasts until Aug. 17, with the exception of July 4 and 6.

  • Bethlehem Baptist Church: Serving lunch from 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. Starts on July 2 and lasts until July 25.

Durham County free meals

  • Eno Valley Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 27, with the exception of July 3-4.

  • Riverside High School: Serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until Aug. 3, except for July 3-4.

  • Lakewood Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 27, except for July 3-4.

  • W.G. Pearson Magnet Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until Aug. 3, except for July 3-4.

  • Spring Valley Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 27, except for July 3-4.

  • Butner-Stem Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until Aug. 3, except for July 3-6.

  • Butner-Stem Middle School: Serving breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until Aug. 3.

Orange County free meals

  • Efland-Cheeks Community Center: Serving lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until June 29, except for June 19.

  • Cedar Grove Community Center: Serving lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and snacks from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until June 29, except for June 19.

  • MUMS The Kitty Hupman Weekday School: Serving lunch from 11 a.m. to noon and snacks from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 11 and lasts until Aug. 24, except for July 4.

  • South Mebane Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Starts on July 24 and lasts until Aug. 9.

  • E.M. Yoder Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Starts on July 24 and lasts until Aug. 9.

  • Falcon Crest Residential: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Starts June 11 and lasts until Aug. 17, except for July 4.

  • Hawfields Middle School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Starts on Aug. 6 and lasts until Aug. 9.

  • Audrey Garrett Reading Group: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Starts on July 24 and lasts until Aug. 9.

Johnston County free meals

  • Coach Reginald Ennis Pavilion: Serving breakfast from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starts on June 19 and lasts until Aug. 24, except for July 4.

  • Smithfield Middle School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

  • Smithfield-Selma High School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

  • West Smithfield Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

  • Selma Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until Aug. 12, except for July 3-4.

  • Four Oaks Middle School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

  • North Johnston Middle School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

  • Micro Elementary School: Serving breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Starts on June 18 and lasts until July 12, except for July 3-4.

There are also more than 2,500 locations across North Carolina providing free summer meals. Use the NC Site Finder Map to find sites near you, text “FOOD” for English and “COMIDA” for Spanish to 304-304 or call 1-866-348-6479.

Is there a curbside option?

No. All meals have to be consumed on the premises and there isn’t an option to take meals home. Many sites will have activities during meal times, such as board games and bookmobiles.

What types of meals are available?

Sites will provide bags with a variety of hot and cold food items.

What if my child has allergies?

Most walk-in locations have peanut-free and pork-free meals. Parents can call locations to see if further accommodations can be made.

Still have questions?

Additional information about the N.C. Summer Food Service Program can be found at https://bit.ly/3Xr7dM5.

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