Free Lunches Available To All Hillsborough County Students

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Beginning this week, all children ages 18 and younger (21 and younger for students with special needs) will be able to enjoy a school lunch at no cost.

The USDA announced the extension of free meals for children through Dec. 31. This unprecedented move will allow the Hillsborough County School District to offer a free lunch, in addition to the free breakfast already provided to all students. The meal program will be offered to all children in brick-and-mortar schools as well as those eLearning or in Hillsborough Virtual K-12.

Hillsborough County Public Schools students learning remotely, as well as any child in need of food in the community, can take advantage of prepackaged Grab-and-Go meals at 75 school locations across the district. Families can pick up food every Monday and Wednesday only from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“Ensuring our learners have the tools they need to succeed goes far beyond our classrooms," said Superintendent Addison Davis. "We must continue to provide critical supports to our families during this unprecedented period in our community. Food is the fuel our students need to succeed. We appreciate our Student Nutrition Services team for again stepping up to the plate by continuously preparing nutritious meals for our children."

Students are not required to be present at the 75 Grab-and-Go locations. The district will use a meal tracker app to ensure meals make it to children in the community. Parents and guardians will be required to either provide a child’s student ID number or name and date of birth when picking up meals. Meals will be provided curbside at the Grab-and-Go locations.

Courtesy Hillsborough County Schools