Most schools are out for the summer and kids are excited to have a little extra free time to play. But for some families—whether because of cost or inaccessible grocery stores—summertime can mean added stress to make sure kids get healthy, nutritional meals during the day.
The Twin Cities metro area has many resources to help kids and their families this summer.
Free meal resources
Every Meal
Every Meal focuses on the food gaps when children aren’t able to receive free and reduced meal programs. We provide weekend and other food gap programs serving children across 500 locations and counting. Find out more about their summer meal programs for any child, family or individual who needs it.
Free Meals for Kids app
This app was created by Hunger Impact Partners. After downloading the app (available for Apple or Android devices), it will tell you where to find nearby free summer meals as well as when they are available and how to get there.
Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland’s Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals to kids and teens under age 18. They have a mapping tool to help you find locations and transit maps for Ramsey and Hennepin counties to make getting there easier.
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis Public Schools has a few sites throughout the community where families can pick up a food box for each of their children once a week throughout the summer. Locations, dates and times can be found on their website.
St. Paul Public Schools
St. Paul Public Schools are offering home meal delivery or curbside pickups to all St. Paul residents with kids under age 18, even if your children do not attend St. Paul Public Schools. Visit their website to learn how to register for meal box deliveries this summer.
Dakota County Library
This summer, kids under the age of 18 can pick up free, nutritious lunches at certain Dakota County libraries. The meals can be picked up outside of the library or in the library’s lobby during inclement weather. Visit their website to find the location closest to you.
Kaitlyn Kamleiter