KAILUA-KONA — Public schools across Hawaii Island will provide free meals to all children under the age of 18 beginning in early June, according to a press release from the state Department of Education.
The department’s summer food program, Seamless Summer Option, receives funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the directive of providing nutritious meals to low-income children throughout the summer.
To be eligible, a school must offer a campus-based summer program of some type and at least 50 percent of its regular enrollment must qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. In total, 68 schools across the state will offer the summer food program, including 15 on Hawaii Island.
Schools will serve meals at select locations Monday through Friday, with the exception of June 10 and July 4. Most will offer breakfast and lunch.
“Summer is a time that can be a gap period where some students miss out on meals,” said Dann Carlson, assistant superintendent of the Office of School Facilities and Support Services. “We are grateful that so many schools stepped forward this year to participate in the program and provide their students and other children the opportunity to receive meals.”
Big Island participants are listed below.
- Keaau Elementary
- Hilo High
- Hilo High/Ke Kula O Nawahi PCS
- Hilo Intermediate
- Honoka’a High/Intermediate
- Kohala Middle
- Keaau Middle
- Keaukaha Elementary (no Mondays)
- Kohala Elementary and Kohala High
- Waiakea Elementary
- Waiakea Intermediate
- Waimea Elementary
- Kealakehe Elementary
- Waiakea High
- Kealakehe High