NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The Early Childhood Education and Care Department in New Mexico has begun its free food service for children ages 1-18. The service aims to provide free meals to children during summer break.
The department said more than 600 locations in the state are providing free meals through August. The meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and no registration or enrollment is required to participate.
“We invite every New Mexican family to take advantage of this incredible program,” said ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky in a news release. “The Summer Food Service Program is free for all New Mexicans, regardless of income, and an easy way for families to ensure their children have nutritious meals during the busy summer months.”
Anyone over the age of 18 who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a state or local educational agency), and participates during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program (established for the mentally or physically disabled), is also eligible to receive free meals through the SFSP.
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered by ECECD.
Hours and days of service vary across locations. To find more information, including days and hours of meal service, and to find meal sites near you, visit summerfoodnm.org or call 1-800-EAT-COOL (1-800-328-2665).
