As part of a statewide effort to ensure students have continued access to nutritious food while school is out, three public schools on Kauaʻi will provide free summer meals for children beginning June 9 , the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced.
The meal program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Seamless Summer Option program, will run weekdays through July 17 at Kapaʻa, Kaumualiʻi and Kekaha elementary schools.
Children 18 years old and younger are eligible to receive meals, regardless of whether they attend public school.
State Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi said: “Free summer meals give every child access to quality nutrition during the summer break so they can return to school nourished, focused and ready to learn.
“Our dedicated cafeteria teams will be working hard to ensure children across Hawai‘i stay healthy this summer, and we encourage all families to take advantage of these free meals.”
Under program guidelines, all meals must be eaten on campus, and grab-and-go options will not be available. Officials explained that the meals will consist of solid foods.
Breakfast will be served from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m., while lunch hours will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Due to Kamehameha Day and Independence Day, meal service will not be provided on June 11 or July 3.
The USDA summer meals program is available only at campuses where at least half of enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and where a summer program is hosted on site.
Parents seeking special diet accommodations are encouraged to email the Department of Education at specialdiets@k12.hi.us with detailed requests. Families can also contact participating schools directly for further information.
