Inflation, supply chain issues and federal regulations are making it harder for school districts to serve free meals to students this summer. But despite the challenges, kids can still eat at hundreds of schools and libraries across South Florida.
A searchable statewide map of summer meal sites is available . To find a nearby location, call 211 or text FOOD or COMIDA to 304304.
The School District of Palm Beach County鈥檚 summer meal program is as big as it鈥檚 ever been, according to Food Services Director Allison Monbleau.
鈥淎s we rolled into the pandemic, we all saw that there were food shortages and challenges with being out of work. That really did increase a lot," Monbleau said. "So I feel very fortunate that we鈥檙e able to be here not only during the regular school year but also throughout the summertime to provide the much-needed nutrition that these children need.鈥�
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SDPBC is serving free meals this summer at 172 different school sites and libraries. Anyone 18 and under can get something to eat, no ID required. Even before the pandemic, the district was serving some 795,000 meals over the summer. Monbleau says she expects to outpace that number this summer.
That鈥檚 despite a string of challenges that are making it even harder for public schools to make sure kids don鈥檛 go hungry when the regular school year ends. Districts are still struggling to keep their cafeterias staffed, inflation is driving up prices for fresh produce and other staples, and supply chain issues are making some basic items like utensils and plates hard to find.
Plus, that Congress paused at the start of the pandemic are slated to go back into effect, after lawmakers failed to extend the waivers. That means a critical that made it easier for schools to feed more kids over the past two years.
When the waivers expire on June 30, districts can no longer offer a grab-and-go option for parents to pick up food. Instead, kids have to be the ones to receive the meals and they have to eat them on-site in a congregate setting. Strict rules on what kinds of food districts are required to serve will also go back into effect.
READ MORE: School meal waivers expire in 9 days. After axing them, Congress may try to save them
Effie Jackson is the Director of Food Services for the Monroe County School District. More than two years into the pandemic, she says many families still need significant help feeding their kids.
鈥淚nflation is so high. When you go to the grocery store, what used to be considered the poor man鈥檚 dinner is no longer that. It鈥檚 really hard to feed your family at home,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淔amilies are having a hard time feeding their kids from the grocery store. So the least we can do is make sure that they have meals when they come to school free of charge.鈥�
Despite the pressure on school systems, kids will be able to eat for free at hundreds of schools across the region this summer. According to district staff, times and locations of meal sites are subject to change. Families are encouraged to call their school or library ahead of time to confirm the details.
Broward County
- Information about meal sites at Broward County Library branches is available
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Palm Beach County
- Information about meal sites at Palm Beach County schools is available
- Information about meals sites at Palm Beach County library branches is available
- A searchable county-wide map of meal sites is available
