Program to serve a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options for Oregonians ages 1 to 18

By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon youth ages 1 to 18 can receive free summer meals at schools, libraries, parks and community centers as the Summer Food Service Program begins for the season.

Nearly 700 sites across Oregon are participating in the summer meals program, and many have already begun serving a mix of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Some sites will begin serving meals later this month and continue into July or August.

Roughly 1.43 million meals in Oregon were served in summer 2024, according to Oregon Department of Education spokesperson Peter Rudy. The program is mostly federally funded, but Oregon pays an additional five cents for every meal served, he said. 

Each site has designated meal times, with some offering a to-go option, games and reading activities. Meals are open to all families without paperwork, income verification and regardless of immigration status.

To find a meal site, call 2-1-1 or go to the USDA’s Summer Meals Site Finder.

Meals are available at two sites in Ashland: Ashland Middle School, 100 Walker Ave.; and Bellview Elementary School, 1070 Tolman Creek Road. Meals are served from 8:15 to 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 541-482-2811 for more information.

Meals are also available Saturdays at the Bellview location.

Meals are also available at Talent Elementary School, 307 Wagner Creek Road, Talent, Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served from 8 to 9 a.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 541-535-7557 for more information.

Meal service started at all three locations June 9 and continues through Aug. 15.

Mia Maldonado covers Oregon and the state Legislature with a focus on social services for the Oregon Capital Chronicle. She started her career in journalism with the Oregon Capital Chronicle’s sister outlet in Idaho, the Idaho Capital Sun.