Summer Eats
Boston Summer Eats provides nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost across the City. All youth 18 and under are welcome to participate. No ID or registration required.
The Boston Summer Eats program is co-implemented by the Mayor's Office of Food Justice, Boston Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the Greater Boston YMCA, and Project Bread. The program provides free nutritious meals to youth aged 18 and under.
The Summer Eats program is an innovative effort to lessen the summer food gap by increasing the availability of non-traditional meal sites. The goal of the program is to expand access to free and healthy meals for kids and teens in Boston.
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Kids Eat Free Flyer:
2025 SUMMER EATS LOCATIONS
Search the list below to find a Boston Summer Eats location near you.
Traveling? Go to Project Bread's Summer Eats webpage for a list of Summer Meal sites throughout Massachusetts.
About the Program
BACKGROUND
The Boston Summer Eats program is a partnership of the Office of Food Justice with:
- Project Bread
- YMCA of Greater Boston
- Boston Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services
MEAL SITES INCLUDE:
- BCYF and YMCA community centers
- Boston Public Schools
- Boston Housing Authority properties, and
- libraries, farmers markets, and community-based organizations.
Program frequently asked questions
FAQs- See the list of Boston Summer Eats locations above on this webpage. For a list of other Summer Eats sites throughout Massachusetts, visit Project Bread's Summer Eats webpage.
No. Meals are provided at no cost. And no paperwork or ID is required to receive meals.
Meals are provided on a first-come first-serve basis.
Each meal follows the USDA guideline for meal patterns.
- Breakfast consists of: milk, fruit/vegetable, and grains/bread.
- Lunch or suppers consist of: milk, fruits/vegetables, grains/bread, and meat/meat alternate.
Nope! At all Summer Eats sites listed in the map above, kids and teens can just show up and receive a free meal! No one will check an ID or ask any questions.
Activities will vary based on the site. More information about activities will be added later in the summer. To find out more about activities at a particular site, contact the organization who operates the site you would like to attend.
No, due to federal regulations, caregivers are not permitted to pick up meals for children and take them home. Meals must be consumed on site with the child present.
No, due to federal regulations, caregivers are not permitted to pick up meals for children and take them home. Meals must be consumed on site with the child present.
Provider frequently asked questions
Provider FAQs- Applications to become a Summer Meal Sponsor were due to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by June 6, 2025. If you are interested in becoming a Summer Meal Sponsor for 2026, you can learn more about the Summer Meals Program here.
Any organization can be a meal site host! Previous partners have included the Parks Department, Community Groups, Boston Public Libraries, Farmers Markets, Faith-based organizations, and Community volunteers.
No, this is up to you and your staff to decide. Sites can choose to be open as many days from Monday - Saturday between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Kids Eat Free Flyer:
