Scottsdale's summer lunch program begins Monday

Summer vacation is officially here. And that means that if you're younger than 18, there is such a thing as a free lunch. The Scottsdale Unified School District's Summer Meal Program, which offers free meals to kids in low-income areas, officially opens its doors Monday.

The school district's program is one of many such services across the country that get federal reimbursement for each meal served.

Click to view Summer food program locations

The program is meant to feed kids over the summer since many rely on school lunches as their primary meal during the school year.

"It's highly under-used nationwide," said Patti Bilbrey, the district's food service operations manager for middle schools and high schools. "There's a lot of children who are in need over the summer. If they're not in school, they're not eating."

Arizona has been part of the program for at least 11 years and generally has 1,200 sites across the state each summer, said Mary Szafranski, the Arizona Department of Education's deputy associate superintendent for health and nutrition services. More than 500 sites have been approved so far this year, including in the Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Tempe school districts.

The Scottsdale district will have five sites open for public walk-ins, serving free meals to kids and adult meals for under $3. The program has grown quite a bit since Bilbrey came to the district four years ago from Mississippi, where she oversaw summer food programs in rural areas.

Five years ago, the Scottsdale district served 175 free meals a day. By last summer, that number climbed to about 3,700 a day, for a grand total of 54,405 meals.

"We've had a lot of people (say), 'There is no need in Scottsdale,' " Bilbrey said. "There is a need. Everywhere has a need."

This summer, Bilbrey expects to serve 1,050 breakfasts, 1,500 lunches and 170 snacks a day.

Anyone can take advantage of the program, not just Scottsdale district students or people who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, Bilbrey said. However, the program must be operated at sites that serve a certain number of low-income students.

The program ensures that kids are not only fed, but getting meals that meet certain nutrition standards, Szafranski said. That's one reason the state tries to increase both the number of sites and the number of students served each year.

However, it can cost quite a bit for schools and other organizations to open up their kitchens for the summer, Szafranski said. The state encourages schools to offer the lunches where summer school is held, or partner with community programs and other places kids are already gathered. The Department of Education also is broadcasting television and radio ads, Szafranski said.

"Arizona has challenges that other states don't have, such as 115 degree weather in the summer," Szafranski said. "No matter how hungry you are, you're not leaving the house."

Scottsdale actually operates 10 sites, five of which will be open to the public. The three schools included - Yavapai Elementary School, Supai Middle School and Mohave Middle School - offer city summer programs, English immersion classes and summer enrichment for low-income students, among other programs, Bilbrey said.

Free lunches also will be served at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale's Barker and Rose Lane branches.

The summer lunches have one extra benefit for the school district: It can keep more of their employees working over the summer break, Bilbrey said. About 30 employees put in time over the summer, compared to 200 full- and part-time employees during the school year.

"Summer is so busy and it's so much work," Bilbrey said. "But our kids need it."

Summer meals statewide

To find your nearest Summer Food Service Program, call 1 (800) 352-3792 or visit www.ade.state.az.us/health-safety/cnp/sfp/ starting June 2