IDEA schools to offer free meals to community this summer

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — IDEA Public Schools will be serving free meals to the community throughout the summer starting next week.

The Child Nutrition Program at IDEA will be serving the meals to children who are 18 years and younger.

According to IDEA, children do not have to be an IDEA student to receive free meals.

“Healthy nutrition is important for all children in our community, not just while they are in a classroom learning, but year-round,” said Fernando Aguilar, Vice President of the Child Nutrition Program at IDEA Public Schools.

According to Feeding America, nearly one in four children face hunger in Texas.

IDEA says they are committed to providing meals to local communities while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

“With nearly 1.7 million children across Texas at risk of going hungry this summer, we are excited to be able to provide nutritious meals while relieving families of the potential financial burden they can experience over the summer time,” Aguilar continued.

The summer meals will include breakfast and lunch at all IDEA campuses Monday through Friday.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Food service will be closed on federal holidays and from July 1 through July 5.  

A list of IDEA schools in the Rio Grande Valley can be found online.