By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu announced Tuesday that children and teenagers across Boston can receive free nutritious breakfasts and lunches throughout the summer as part of the City’s Boston Summer Eats program, an initiative designed to help ensure young people continue to have access to healthy meals while school is out of session.
The program is available to all youth ages 18 and younger at more than 60 locations throughout Boston, including schools and community centers. City officials said no identification or registration is required to receive meals, making the program accessible to families regardless of income or enrollment status.
Most participating locations provide both breakfast and lunch, while some sites also offer snacks. Officials said operating hours vary by location.
All meals served through Boston Summer Eats follow U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines and include milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and protein.
City officials noted that meals must now be eaten on-site because updated federal regulations have eliminated “grab and go” meal options for this year.
Mayor Michelle Wu said the program is designed to help young people remain healthy, engaged and connected throughout the summer months.
“Reliable access to healthy food is one of the most important ways we keep our young people safe after school and during the summer — reducing hunger, providing structure, and keeping them connected to their communities instead of becoming vulnerable to outside pressures,” said Mayor Wu. “I’m proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with our community and state partners to make this program possible, extending nutritious, no-cost meals for young people beyond the school year.”
The Boston Summer Eats program is a collaborative effort involving the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice, Boston Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth & Families and Project Bread.
The initiative operates as part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program, which is administered throughout Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
City officials said the program’s primary goal is to expand access to healthy, free meals for children and teenagers during the summer months, when school cafeterias are no longer serving students on a daily basis.
Project Bread President and CEO Erin McAleer said the program plays an important role for families facing increasing financial pressures.
“Summer doesn’t have to mean empty stomachs or worried parents. Summer Eats is a vital resource ensuring kids and teens in Boston and beyond have access to nutritious meals when school is out,” said McAleer. “Families across the state are facing rising costs of groceries, housing and other necessities. Summer Eats provides essential support in helping families bridge that gap. We are proud to partner with the City of Boston and other dedicated organizations across the state to keep kids fed during the summer months.”
Many of the meals distributed through the program are being prepared by Boston Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services staff at the district’s Central Kitchen in Dorchester.
According to the City, preparing meals in-house strengthens food quality, improves food safety and provides greater operational oversight while also generating cost savings compared to relying on packaged meals prepared by outside vendors.
Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper said the initiative reflects the district’s commitment to supporting students beyond the classroom.
“Every child deserves access to healthy, nutritious meals year-round. Through Boston Summer Eats, we’re helping ensure that young people have the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the summer months,” said Skipper. “I’m proud of the incredible work of our Boston Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services team, who are preparing fresh meals each day in our revitalized Central Kitchen for children and teens across the city. BPS is committed to supporting students’ health and well-being, strengthening our partnerships with families and the community, and making sure every young person has the resources they need to succeed. We’re grateful to the City of Boston and our community partners for making this important program possible.”
The YMCA of Greater Boston also serves as one of the community partners helping implement the summer meal program throughout the city.
David Shapiro, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston, said providing consistent access to nutritious food is essential to supporting children throughout the summer.
“Summer is prime time for youth development and joy, but it all starts with meeting the food and nutrition needs of our young people, especially when access to school meals are not available,” said Shapiro. “As part of the Y’s year-round approach to providing stable access to nutritious food for our neighbors, we are proud to work with the city, state, and community organizations as an implementation partner of Summer Eats. We work to ensure Y and partner sites are welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and provide young people with the fuel and enrichment they need to thrive.”
City officials also highlighted additional food assistance programs available to eligible families during the summer months.
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, provides eligible families with $120 in federal grocery benefits for school-aged children during the summer.
The benefits are loaded onto a dedicated SUN Bucks card. Families who received and used a SUN Bucks card during 2025 can continue using the same card during 2026.
Officials said residents who are new to the program, need to apply or require assistance can obtain information through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance’s SUN Bucks resources or by calling the program’s hotline.
The Office of Food Justice is also encouraging families receiving SNAP, Summer EBT and WIC benefits to purchase fresh produce at local farmers markets.
Officials noted that SNAP recipients can participate in the Healthy Incentives Program, which provides an additional dollar of fresh fruits and vegetables for every SNAP dollar spent on eligible produce at participating farmers markets throughout Massachusetts.
The City said the incentive is intended to help families stretch their food budgets while increasing access to fresh, locally grown foods.
Officials encouraged residents seeking additional assistance to visit the Office of Food Justice for information about free and low-cost food resources available throughout Boston.
The Boston Summer Eats program will continue operating throughout the summer, providing free meals to children and teenagers at participating locations across the city as community organizations and public agencies work together to help address food insecurity while school is out of session.