Free Summer Meals Kick Off in Phoenix-Area Schools

As K-12 classes wrap up for summer, Phoenix-area students can continue to receive nutritious meals through free summer food programs. These vital initiatives, supported by the federal government, ensure children aged 18 and younger have access to food without any application, identification, or proof of income requirements.

Ensuring Every Child Eats This Summer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) backs a nationwide free summer food program designed to support children when school is out. Many schools across Arizona, including those in metro Phoenix, participate, making it incredibly easy for families to access meals. For most locations, children simply need to show up to receive a meal. While some sites reserve meals for enrolled students, the majority are open to all kids.

Beyond just children, many participating locations also offer meals to adults for a low cost, making it a community-wide benefit. Most sites in metro Phoenix provide dine-in service, while some rural areas offer grab-and-go or hybrid options.

To find the participating school closest to you, along with their specific service hours and dates, visit azhealthzone.org/freesummermeals/.

Introducing SUN Bucks: Grocery Assistance for Families

In addition to the direct meal programs, low-income families with children who normally receive free or reduced-cost meals during the school year will automatically be enrolled in the new SUN Bucks assistance program. This program provides financial aid for groceries during the summer months. For more details on this valuable support, visit azed.gov/SUNBucks.

Local Phoenix Districts Offer Meals

Several large Phoenix-area school districts are actively participating, providing convenient locations and schedules. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:

Phoenix Union High School District

Phoenix Union High School District is hosting free summer meal programs for all children 18 and younger. Adults can also purchase meals for $2.75 for breakfast and $4.75 for lunch. Meals are served Monday through Thursday, from May 27 to June 24. Breakfast is offered from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., and lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Participating Phoenix Union High Schools:

• Alhambra High School, 3839 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix
• Betty Fairfax High School, 8225 S. 59th Ave., Laveen
• Bostrom High School, 3535 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
• Bioscience High School, 512 E. Pierce St., Phoenix
• Carl Hayden Community High School, 3333 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
• Phoenix Coding Academy, 4525 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
• Cesar Chavez High School, 3921 W. Baseline Road, Laveen
• The Academies at South Mountain, 6401 S. 7th St., Phoenix
• Maryvale High School, 3415 N. 59th Ave., Phoenix
• Trevor G. Browne High School, 7402 W. Catalina Drive, Phoenix
• Franklin Police and Fire High School, 1645 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix
• Metro Tech High School, 1900 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix
• Camelback High School, 4312 N. 28th St., Phoenix
• Central High School, 4445 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
• North High School, 1101 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix
• Wilson College Prep, 3005 E. Fillmore St., Phoenix

Mesa Public Schools

Mesa Public Schools also provides free summer meal programs for children 18 and under. Adult meals are available at a charge of $3 for breakfast and $5 for lunch. Dates and hours vary by campus, so it’s recommended to check the Mesa Public Schools website for detailed information: Mesa Public Schools Summer Meals.

Participating Mesa Public School Campuses:

• Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School, 415 N. Westwood, Mesa
• Guerrero Elementary School, 463 S. Alma School Road, Mesa
• Hale Elementary School, 1425 N. 23rd St., Mesa
• Jefferson Elementary School, 120 S. Jefferson Ave., Mesa
• Kerr Elementary School, 125 E. McLellan Road, Mesa
• Longfellow Elementary School, 345 S. Hall, Mesa
• Lowell Elementary School, 920 E. Broadway Road, Mesa
• Mendoza Elementary School, 5831 E. McLellan Road, Mesa
• SHARP, 7302 E. Adobe St., Mesa
• Summit Academy, 1560 W. Summit Place, Chandler
• Webster Elementary School, 202 N. Sycamore, Mesa
• Kino Junior High School, 848 N. Horne, Mesa
• Rhodes Junior High School, 1860 S. Longmore, Mesa
• Stapley Junior High School, 3250 E. Hermosa Vista Drive, Mesa
• Mesa High School, 1630 E. Southern Ave., Mesa
• Mountain View High School, 2700 E. Brown Road, Mesa
• Red Mountain High School, 7301 E. Brown Road, Mesa
• Skyline High School, 845 S. Crismon Road, Mesa
• Westwood High School, 945 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa

Peoria Unified School District

Peoria Unified School District offers summer meal programs free for children 18 and under. Adults can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $4. Similar to Mesa, summer meal program dates and hours vary by campus. Visit the Peoria Unified website for specifics: Peoria Unified Summer Meals.

Participating Peoria Unified School Campuses (General Access):

• Alta Loma Elementary School, 9750 N. 87th Ave., Peoria
• Canyon Elementary School, 5490 W. Paradise Lane, Glendale
• Copperwood Elementary School, 11232 N. 65th Ave., Glendale
• Cotton Boll Elementary School, 8540 W. Butler Drive, Peoria
• Country Meadows Elementary School, 8409 N. 111th Ave., Peoria
• Desert Valley Elementary School, 12901 N. 63rd Ave., Glendale
• Foothills Elementary School, 15808 N. 63rd Ave., Glendale
• Heritage Elementary School, 5312 W. Mountain View Road, Glendale
• Ira A. Murphy Elementary School, 7231 W. North Lane, Peoria
• Kachina Elementary School, 5304 W. Crocus Drive, Glendale
• Marshall Ranch Elementary School, 12995 N. Marshall Ranch Drive, Glendale
• Oasis Elementary School, 7841 W. Sweetwater Ave., Peoria
• Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson St., Peoria
• Peoria Elementary School, 11501 N. 79th Ave., Peoria
• Peoria High School, 11200 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
• Pioneer Elementary School, 6315 W. Port Au Prince Lane, Glendale
• Raymond S. Kellis High School, 8990 W. Orangewood Ave., Glendale
• Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School, 10401 N. 63rd Ave., Glendale
• Santa Fe Elementary School, 9880 N. 77th Ave., Peoria
• Sky View Elementary School, 8624 W. Sweetwater Ave., Peoria
• Sun Valley Elementary School, 8361 N. 95th Ave., Peoria
• Sundance Elementary School, 7051 W. Cholla St., Peoria

Please note, the following Peoria Unified schools offer meals exclusively to registered students:

• Cactus High School, 6330 W. Greenway Road, Glendale
• Desert Palms Elementary School, 11441 N. 55th Ave., Glendale
• Ironwood High School, 6051 W. Sweetwater Ave., Glendale

Adult Meal Cost Comparison

To help families plan, here’s a quick look at adult meal costs across the mentioned districts:

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Meals

• What are the free summer meal programs?
  These are federally funded programs, often run by local schools, that provide free meals to children during the summer when school is not in session.
• Who is eligible for free meals?
  Generally, all children aged 18 and younger are eligible for free meals at participating sites. No application, ID, or proof of income is typically required for children.
• Can adults get meals too?
  Yes, many participating locations allow adults to purchase meals at a low cost. Specific prices vary by district.
• How can I find a meal site near me?
  Visit azhealthzone.org/freesummermeals/ for a list of locations, dates, and service hours in your area.
• What is the SUN Bucks program?
  SUN Bucks is an assistance program that provides money for groceries to low-income families whose children lose access to free or reduced-cost meals when school is closed for the summer. Eligible families are automatically enrolled.

Don’t let summer break mean food insecurity for your children. Utilize these readily available resources to ensure Phoenix-area kids stay fed and healthy throughout the warmer months.

Phoenix Kids Get Free Summer Meals No ID Needed