Summer Meals at Public Schools

HIDOE News Release

Eighty-six public schools, including two on Molokai, will serve meals free of charge over the summer to children ages 18 years and younger. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced the meals will be provided regardless of public school enrollment status, through its summer food service program. 

Beginning in early June, the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program will serve meals at select public school locations on Mondays through Fridays, with the exception of June 12 (King Kamehameha Day) and July 4 (Independence Day). The SSO is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer.

“The need for healthy nutrition doesn’t take a break over the summer months. Our summer food service programs help ensure students have access to consistent, balanced meals to benefit their bodies and minds,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Families are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. I want to thank our dedicated cafeteria staff, school administrators and our federal partners for making this vital program possible each year.”

Schools can opt to serve breakfast only, lunch only, or both meals. 

On Molokai, meals will be served at Molokai Middle and Molokai High schools. Molokai Middle meals run from June 7 to July 14; breakfast is from 7 to 8:30 am and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Molokai High offers meals from June 5 to July 14; breakfast is not available and lunch is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please note that summer meals are offered for on-campus dining only and are no longer offered in “grab and go” containers. Meal recipients do not have to be enrolled at a participating school to be served and meals will consist of solid foods. For special diet accommodations, please email specialdiets@k12.hi.us with as much detail as possible.

Schools eligible for the SSO program must have 50 percent or more of its regularly enrolled students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches and some type of summer program on campus.

The SSO is a neighborhood-based program that uses site eligibility to provide nutritious meals to children during the summer months. It is an extension to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) which operates during the school year.