Baltimore children who struggle to obtain enough meals when schools are closed in the summer will be able to access three-square meals each weekday back in those same educational institutions.
Children under 18 can get a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner five days a week through a partnership between the Baltimore City Department of House and Community Development, the Family League, the Baltimore Food Initiative, Baltimore City Schools, the Maryland State Department of Education, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other partners.
The Baltimore City Public Schools noted the program also extends to those over the age of 18 who have mental or physical disabilities and and who participate in free lunch programs during the school year. Race, color, national origin, sex, or disability are not factors in eligibility and no discrimination will be tolerated in the course of meal service, the district said in a statement.
The 2018 Summer Food Service Program began on June 20 and runs through August 30.
The Baltimore Food Policy Initiative provides guidance for ensuring nutritional standards are met, with some produce being provided by local farms.
The program is expected to offer 1 million meals. The meals will be served at 110+ schools and other community facilities across the city.
Additionally to meals served at designated sites, a mobile meals program run by the Department of Housing and Community Development will provide breakfast and lunch at six locations where access to food is particularly difficult.
“Thousands of children in Baltimore rely on the breakfast and lunch they receive at school to get the fuel they need to be successful,” said DHCD Commissioner Michael Braverman. “We, as a city, are committed to ensuring that children and teens have access to nutritional meals all summer long while school is out.”
Meals will be served Monday through Friday. Breakfast will typically be served around 8-8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served around 11:30 a.m. or 12 p.m. A set time was not specified for dinner.
