City works with REAP Food Group, Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison Parks, Public Health Madison & Dane County to provide free summer meal sites.

An innovative partnership is addressing food insecurity for children and families in Madison again this summer. REAP Food Group, Madison Metropolitan School District, the City of Madison, Public Health Madison & Dane County and community partners are coming together to improve and expand the Summer Food Program.

The MMSD Summer Food Program, which provides free summer meals to all children 18 and under at 50 sites city wide, will begin on Monday, June 19. The partners aim to serve more children by increasing public awareness of and improving access to the free meals for both children and families.

Special efforts will take place at two park sites this summer, Elver Park and Southdale Park, led by REAP Food Group. Free summer lunches will be served Monday – Friday, June 19-Aug 11, 11:00-11:45am at Southdale Park and 12:00-12:45pm at Elver Park to all children and to all adults who accompany children. REAP’s Farm to School Program will provide fun, educational activities daily at both locations. The Wisconsin Partnership Program is funding this work, with additional sponsorship for adult meals provided by the City of Madison.

In addition to the Elver Park and Southdale Park sites, there are dozens of other locations in the Madison area that will be serving free meals this summer. Sites include summer schools, community centers, apartments and more. Free breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are available for children at these locations. There is no registration or identification required to receive meals; all youth 18 and under eat for free. To find sites and meal times, visit mmsd.ord/food or text “food” to 877-877.

Along with REAP Farm to School educational lunchtime activities at Elver and Southdale parks, all MMSD Summer Food Program sites will feature locally grown farm fresh vegetables, coordinated by REAP Food Group and MMSD Food and Nutrition Department.

A Summer Food Program Kickoff Event will be held at Elver Park on Monday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor Soglin and partners will address the community and press at 11:30 a.m. Free lunch and fun activities will be provided by MMSD and REAP Food Group, open to the public.