School Meals

Where Are Meals Being Served?

In School Year 2021/2022:
- Students that are learning in-person will be able to access meals, at no charge, at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
- Students in quarantine should refer to local district meal distribution policies.
- During unexpected school closures, open meal distribution sites are allowed, and will be added to Project Bread Child Nutrition Outreach Program's School Closure Meal Site Finder. to make the public aware.

Yes, any district operating under NSLP's Seamless Summer Option can make meals available during unanticipated school closures. For SY 21-22, unanticipated closures include any unplanned closure for weather or other reasons. Federal reimbursement can be provided for reimbursable meal served at all approved meal sites. Note: Holidays or planned vacations are not considered unanticipated, and meals served during these planned closures cannot be claimed for reimbursement.

Districts who are not currently participating in the NSLP can apply to become a new sponsor. Districts currently operating NSLP but would like to expand their meal service should contact their DESE consultant.
As open meal distribution sites are approved, they will be added to Project Bread Child Nutrition Outreach Program's School Closure Meal Site Finder. to make the public aware.

Counselors at Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 are available to connect your community to food resources in their community as well as provide them with information about elder meals programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The hotline will continue to operate Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and can provide information in 160 languages.
Non-congregate meal site information can be found through Project Bread Child Nutrition Outreach Program's School Closure Meal Site Finder.

Last Updated: January 14, 2022