The City of Newport has announced details for the 2017 Summer Meals Program, an initiative that has the goal of filling the upcoming summer with healthy and nutritious food for Newport youth.

During the school year, more than 76,000 of Rhode Island students receive meals through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; and when schools let out, many children lose access to these healthy meals, the City says. The City says that many don’t know that the Summer Meals Program is an extension of the School Lunch Program designed to close the gap of food access when the school is out, and that it is available in many communities throughout our region, including in Newport, as a free resource for the City’s youth.

At least 64% of children in Newport receive free or reduce priced meals during the school year. In the fall of 2015, the City of Newport received a grant through the National League of Cities to increase participation of the Summer Meals Program in our community, and the City says they are working hard to make this a reality and provide food access to all children and youth 18 and under in our community.

There is no income, residency, or any other eligibility criteria, or any forms for children or their parents to fill out in order to get summer meals. In fact, all children in our community are welcome to get a free meal every weekday during the summer.

Meals will be provided to all children, (18 years old or younger) at no charge and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:

York Street                                     July 5 – August 18, 2017         7:45-8:15               Breakfast

King Park                                      July 5 – August 18, 2017         11:00-12:00           Lunch

Vernon Park                                  July 3 – August 25, 2017         11:00-12:00           Lunch

Aquidneck Park                             July 3 – August 25, 2017         11:30-12:30           Lunch

Chapel Terrace                              July 5 –September 1, 2017      12:15-1:15             Lunch

Miantonomi Memorial Park           July 3 –September 1, 2017      11:30-12:30           Lunch

Festival Field Apartments             July 5 –September 1, 2017      11:45-12:45           Lunch

Coggeshall School Playground       July 5 –August 18, 2017          12:00-1:00             Lunch

Storer Park                                    July 5 –August 18, 2017          12:15-1:15             Lunch

Bayside Village                               July 5 –September 1, 2017      12:45-1:45             Lunch