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While children in Lane County are out for summer break, schools still offer free breakfast and lunch for families during certain summer weeks.
Eugene School District 4J, Springfield Public Schools and Bethel School District serve summer meals in their cafeterias in some capacity. These opportunities are supplemented with Food for Lane County’s Summer Food Program, federal food assistance money and other local sites that serve regular meals.
Eugene School District 4J
Any child 18 and under can eat free breakfast and lunch at two 4J elementary schools — one in West Eugene and one in the River Road neighborhood — starting June 30. Kids must eat on site; to-go options are not available.
- Where to find meals: Howard Elementary School (700 Howard Ave.) and Chávez Elementary School (1510 W. 14th Ave.)
- When to go: Breakfast is served from 9-9:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 12:30-1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Start and end dates: June 30-Aug. 8, with the exception of July 4, when schools will be closed.
Bethel School District
Any child 18 and under can get free breakfast and lunch at two Bethel schools this summer starting June 23. Kids can eat in the school courtyards, but cannot get meals to go.
- Where to find meals: Prairie Mountain School (5305 Royal Ave.) and Willamette High School (1801 Echo Hollow Road).
- Prairie Mountain School days and times: Breakfast is served from 8:30-9 a.m. and lunch is served from noon to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Willamette High School days and times: Breakfast is served from 9-9:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.
- Start and end dates: June 23-Aug. 8.
Families can also access free fresh produce from the Bethel Farm, located behind Prairie Mountain School. Pickup is every week from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.
Springfield Public Schools
Children in kindergarten through seventh grade who attend the free Springfield Academics and Recreation for Kids (SPARK) summer camps from July 7-31 eat free breakfast and lunch. Students in high school recovery programs also get free breakfast and lunch.
Other resources
Families can access free lunches at 44 locations in Lane County this summer through Food for Lane County’s Summer Food Program.
From June 23 to Aug. 22, kids ages 1-18, regardless of income, can eat a prepared cold lunch at various parks, community centers, schools and libraries across the county from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Families can find all locations on the program map. Children who are 2 or younger must be accompanied by an adult…