Nearly 145K free summer meals served by end of June by state Education Department

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education by the end of June already served nearly 145,000 free summer meals to children throughout the state, providing access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches while school is out of session during summer.

More than 52,000 breakfasts and 93,000 lunches were served as of June 30 at 74 participating public schools via U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Option. Free meals are available weekdays through July 17 to all children ages 18 years old and younger, regardless of whether they attend public school.

Nearly 20 Big Island schools participating this year:

East Hawaiʻi

• Hilo High School.
• Hilo Intermediate School.
• Kalanianaʻole Elementary.
• Keaʻau Elementary.
• Keaʻau High School.
• Keaʻau Middle School
• Keaukaha Elementary.
• Keonepoko Elementary.
• Mountain View Elementary.
• Pāhoa High and Intermediate School.
• Waiākea High School.
• Waiākea Intermediate School.
• Waiākeawaena Elementary.

West and North Hawaiʻi

• Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School.
• Kealakehe Elementary.
• Kealakehe Intermediate School.
• Kohala High School.
• Kohala Middle School.
• Waimea Elementary.

“Every summer, we know many families continue to rely on school meals,” said Hawaiʻi Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi in a state release. “We’re proud to provide healthy, locally inspired meals that help students stay nourished and ready to learn while easing the burden on families.”

This year’s summer menu features several new recipes made with locally sourced ingredients:

• An ʻuala (sweet potato) swirl bun.
• Kalo yogurt bowl.
• Local-style fried rice.
• Loco moco with ʻulu (breadfruit) gravy.

Students also can choose from a daily salad or vegetarian option for lunch.

Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Middle School Principal Joe Passantino said the program provides crucial nutrition for many of the Honolulu school’s students during the summer, especially with expanded menu offerings.

“We’re super grateful for the program, and the food that’s provided for our demographic and our population is really what they look forward to,” said Passantino in the state release. “Many kids don’t eat at home, so this is sometimes some of their only meals, so they’re super excited to come to school to get fed.”

He added that the expanded menu is popular with students.

“The new menu items of the different salads every day — there was a noodle salad, chicken salad, taco salad. I was actually surprised that many students choose those and prefer those compared to the regular,” Passantino said. “As the state evolves and creates different things, I think it makes the kids happy and creates a buzz for what’s going to be for lunch tomorrow.”

Incoming sixth-grader Christian Tajiri said the fresh menu options make summer meals something he looks forward to each day.

“I think my favorite one is probably the salad. The salads are, like, really good,” Christian said in the state release.

Seamless Summer Option helps keiki from many families continue to get healthy meals during the summer and ease grocery costs.

“This is kind of good for my family because these free foods can help my family more by not spending more money,” Christian said.

Schools qualify to participate if at least 50% of their students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and they host a summer program on campus.

A full list of participating schools throughout the state can be found online.

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website for additional information.