Summer Meals Available to Support Student Health and Well Being

CHICAGO — As part of its year-round commitment to student health and wellness, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is once again launching its annual summer meals program to ensure children across the city have access to free, nutritious meals even when school is out of session. Starting this month, hundreds of CPS schools will serve as summer meal sites—providing breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in summer programs as well as any Chicago children ages 1 to 18.

“No child should ever go hungry because school is out,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “Our summer meals program is one more way we show up for our students and families—not just during the academic year, but year-round. Nutrition and academic growth go hand in hand, and we want every child in Chicago to be ready to learn, thrive, and succeed.”

Meals are available at two types of locations:
LunchStop Sites: Outdoor locations at select schools, open to the public for grab-and-go lunch service.

Indoor Program Sites: Schools hosting summer learning programs, where enrolled students receive meals during scheduled times.

Children do not need to attend a CPS school or be enrolled in a summer program to receive meals. No ID or registration is required, but children must be present and meals must be eaten on-site, in accordance with federal program rules.

“As a District, we recognize that schools remain anchors for many neighborhoods even during the summer months,” said Jason Mojica, Executive Director of CPS Nutrition Support Services. “These meals are more than food—they’re a sign of stability, care, and continued partnership with families who count on us.”

The final day of the school year is Thursday, June 12, and summer meals will begin Monday, June 30 with service dates varying by site. Families are encouraged to visit www.WeGotYouIllinois.org or call (800) 359-2163 to find a summer meal site nearby. A searchable map of CPS summer meal locations and schedules will also be available on the District website.

This initiative is made possible through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). All meals meet USDA Child Nutrition Program standards for healthy, balanced meals.

"Whether it’s during the school year or in the heart of summer, our goal is simple: feed kids well, so they can do well," Martinez added. "We’re proud to continue this work in every neighborhood we serve."

For More Information:

Meal Locations & Hours: www.WeGotYouIllinois.org or call (800) 359-2163
The District’s Summer Meals: https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/school-meals-and-nutrition/summer-meals-and-lunchstop-program
CPS Nutrition Services: www.cps.edu/nutrition
School Menus: www.cps.edu/mealviewer