Children and teens in the Milford area will once again have access to free nutritious meals this summer through the Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded initiative designed to ensure young people continue receiving healthy meals when school is out of session.
The program, administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and managed locally by the Delaware Department of Education, provides free breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to children ages 18 and younger. No registration, enrollment, or income verification is required.
The Summer Food Service Program aims to address food insecurity during the summer months when many students lose access to school-based meal programs. Officials say the program helps children maintain healthy eating habits and receive the nutrition they need to continue growing, learning, and staying active throughout the summer.
In Milford, meals will be available Monday through Thursday from June 29 through July 30 at several locations throughout the city.
At Milford High School, located at 1019 N. Walnut St., breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m., followed by lunch from 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
Mispillion Elementary School, located at 311 Lovers Lane, will serve breakfast from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
At Banneker Elementary School, 449 North St., breakfast will be available from 9:30 to 10 a.m., with lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
The Milford Public Library, located at 11 S.E. Front St., will offer lunch daily from noon to 1 p.m.
The Summer Food Service Program operates at thousands of sites nationwide each year, including schools, libraries, parks, recreation centers, and community organizations. The program is intended to help ensure children have consistent access to nutritious meals regardless of family income during the summer break.
Families seeking additional meal sites outside of Milford can call 211 for assistance. Information is also available by calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 or, for Spanish speakers, 1-877-842-6273.
Parents and guardians can also locate nearby meal sites using the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder at the federal agency’s website.
Program organizers encourage families to take advantage of the free service, noting that all children 18 and younger are eligible to participate, regardless of where they attend school or where they live.
The program will continue through July 30, providing thousands of meals to local children during the summer vacation period.
