As summer vacation approaches, many area low-income school age parents begin to worry how they'll feed their children for the next couple months. Fortunately, New York State has a summer food service program that provides free lunches to children 18 years of age and younger.

Below is a list of free lunch sites offered through the Utica City School District:

(ALL LOCATIONS ARE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY UNLESS INDICATED)

  • Albany Elementary School:
    1151 Albany Street
    Open: 6/26 Close: 7/21
    Lunch Time: 11am - 12:15pm
    Snack Time: 9:15am - 10:00AM
  • Conkling Futures Academy Magnet School:
    1115 Mohawk Street, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 6/26 Close: 7/17
    Lunch Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
  • United Cerebral Palsy Center:
    1601 Armory Drive, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 7/10 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Saint Francis Desales Church: 
    305 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 6/26 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Deliverence First Ministries Church:
    934 Sunset Avenue, Utica, NY 13502
    Open: 6/26 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church:
    222 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502
    Open: 6/26 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 11:15am - 12:15pm
  • Salvation Army:
    14 Clinton Place, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 6/26 - 8/11
    Lunch Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
  • Thomas M Lindsey Memorial Substation:
    230 James Street, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 6/26 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Lincoln Park:
    1538 Lincoln Avenue, Utica, NY 13502
    Open: 6/26 - Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Adrean Terrace:
    66 East Adrean Terrace, Utica, NY 13501
    Open: 6/26 Close: 8/11
    Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Boces also provides free lunches during the summer:

  • Deansboro Town Park:
    2651 State Route 12B, Deansboro, NY 13328
    Open: 7/10 Close: 8/11
    Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
    Lunch Time: 12:30pm - 1:00pm
  • Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Boces:
    4747 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413
    Open: 7/5 Close: 8/18
    Days of Operation: Monday through Friday
    Breakfast Time: 8:00am - 9:00am
    Lunch Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • Basloe Field Playground and Pool:
    591 Lansing Street, Herkimer, NY 13350
    Open: 7/5 Close: 8/11
    Days of Operation: Monday through Friday
    Lunch Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
  • Memorial Park Elementary School:
    145 E. Bacon Street, Waterville, NY 13480
    Open: 7/10 Close: 8/11
    Days of Operation: Monday through Friday
    Lunch Time: 11:15am - 12:00pm

Many other municipalities offer free lunches and in some cases breakfast as well. The USDA's website has a tool that helps you find summer meals in your community.

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