This summer, all New York City children 18 and under can get free, healthy meals at schools, parks, libraries, and food trucks. There is no need to show identification, no registration, and no questions about immigration status. The program runs from June 27 to August 29, 2025, and is open to everyone.
Here’s what immigrant families need to know about how to access free meals in their neighborhood.
What is the NYC free summer meals program?
The Free Summer Meals Program is a citywide service that provides free breakfast and lunch to all children and teens aged 18 and under throughout the summer. The goal is to make sure no child in New York City goes hungry while school is out.
Who can receive the meals?
Every child and teen aged 18 or younger can receive meals, no matter their immigration status, family income level, or where they live. There is no need for ID, registration, or documentation of any kind.
When and where are meals available?
The program runs from Thursday, June 27, to Friday, August 29, 2025, providing meals Monday through Friday, except on Friday, July 4. Typical meal times are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. for breakfast and 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. for lunch.
Children can receive meals at hundreds of locations throughout all five boroughs, including public schools, city parks, pools, and libraries. To find a nearby site, enter your borough, school district, address, or ZIP code along with a search radius. You can also view the full list of Summer Meal Locations or check the separate list of Summer Halal Meal Locations to find options that meet your family’s needs.
In addition, food truck services are available in several parks and high-traffic areas, offering lunch daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends.
Regular food truck locations include:
- Sara D. Roosevelt Park in Manhattan (Chrystie Street & Forsyth Street)
- The Parkside and Ocean Avenue entrance of Prospect Park in Brooklyn (Parkside & Ocean Avenue)
- Haffen Park in the Bronx (Ely Avenue & Hammersley Avenue, near the baseball field and basketball courts)
What kinds of meals are offered?
The meals are healthy, kid-friendly, and designed to support children’s well-being. Many locations also offer halal options.
Click below to view the full menus for each site:
- Open community meal sites: breakfast and lunch
- Open halal community sites: breakfast and lunch
- Pools, parks, and libraries: breakfast and lunch
- Food trucks: lunch only
Is it safe for undocumented families to use this program?
There are no immigration checks, and no personal information is collected. Children do not need to show ID or be enrolled in a school. The program is open and welcoming to all.
How can I use a summer meal location if I don’t speak or read English?
If you don’t speak or read English, there are still easy ways to find a free summer meal site. You can call 311, say the language you speak (for example, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, or Haitian Creole), and a translator will help you get the information you need. The NYC Summer Meals website also allows you to change the language at the top of the page.
Additionally, schools, libraries, and community centers have staff who can assist you in locating nearby meal options. Language should never be a barrier to your child accessing food.
No matter where you’re from or what your circumstances are, every child in New York City deserves access to healthy food this summer. The Free Summer Meals Program is here to support families across all communities with no questions asked. Spread the word to friends, neighbors, and community members so that no child goes hungry this summer.
