PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield and Lee public schools are feeding children at meal sites in both communities this summer. 

 

Meals are free for children ages 18 and younger as part of Summer Eats, a federal Child Nutrition Program administered across the state by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The two communities operate nine total meal sites, one in Lee and eight in Pittsfield, all offering breakfast and lunch, with some also offering afternoon snacks and weekend meals. 

 

"We're serving up fresh meals to keep kids and teens energized, happy and healthy all summer," said Bonnie Fahey, food service director for Lee Public Schools. 

 

Jeremy Wells, food service director for Pittsfield Public Schools, added, "Healthy meals are just as critical in July and August as they are during the school year. Thanks to our Summer Eats program and dedicated kitchen staff, we are keeping Pittsfield's children nourished all summer long. We invite all local families to visit our free meal sites across the city." 

 

Summer Eats gives kids the chance to enjoy free meals and activities among friends, and their caregivers can get support to ensure their children have healthy and happy summers. On Fridays in Lee, kids can pick up meal boxes containing two breakfasts and two lunches for Saturday and Sunday, ensuring they have everything they need when the site is closed.

 

Lee meal site:

 

Lee Elementary School, 310 Greylock St.

Weekdays from June 29 - July 31

Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:30

Lunch: 11:30 to 1

Friday Grab & Go: 4 to 5

 

Pittsfield meal sites, note times and dates:

 

Christian Center,193 Robbins Ave.

Weekdays from June 24 to Aug. 28

Breakfast: 8:30 to 10:30

Lunch: noon to 1

 

Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St.

Weekdays from June 29 to Aug. 21

Breakfast: 8:30 to 9

Lunch: 12:15 to 12:45

 

Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.

Weekdays from June 29 to Aug. 21

Breakfast: 8:30 to 9

Lunch: 12:15 to 12:45

 

Clapp Park, 245 West Housatonic St.

Weekdays from July 6 to Aug. 14

Lunch: noon to 12:30

Snack: 2:30 to 2:45

 

Durant Park, 30 John St.

Weekdays from July 6 to Aug. 14

Lunch: noon to 12:30 

Snack: 2:30 to 2:45

 

The Common, 100 First St.

Weekdays from July 6 to Aug. 14

Lunch: noon to 12:30

Snack: 2:30 to 2:45

 

Dower Square, 253 Wahconah St.

Weekdays from July 6 to Aug. 14

Lunch: noon to 12:30

 

Pittsfield Farmers Market at The Common

Saturdays from June 27 to Aug. 22

Breakfast: 9 to 10:30

Lunch: 11:30 to 1

 

Summer Eats assists families by providing free meals to children and teens to ensure they continue growing, learning, and thriving during summer break. Participating meal providers, like Pittsfield Public Schools and Lee Public Schools, operate and staff meal sites, often in conjunction with activities and educational programming. Kids and teens are required to eat onsite at most Summer Eats sites. Grab & Go meals are available in select rural communities. In 2025, nearly 3 million meals were served through Summer Eats at more than 1,500 sites statewide, including more than 5,000 meals in Lee, and more than 37,000 in Pittsfield. Families may also be eligible for SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), a separate federal food benefit that provides $120 per eligible school-age child to spend on groceries during the summer. 

 

For more than 20 years, DESE and statewide food security nonprofit Project Bread have partnered to support communities in offering Summer Eats meals. Throughout the school year, the nonprofit and DESE also partner to expand access to and participation in school meal programs. This year, Project Bread has granted more than $240,000  to Summer Eats sponsors statewide for equipment, staffing, and outreach and promotion efforts.

 

"Summer doesn't have to mean empty stomachs or worried parents," said Erin McAleer, president and CEO of Project Bread. "Meal providers like Pittsfield Public Schools and Lee Public Schools are doing essential work by making sure Pittsfield and Lee kids have a place to go for free, healthy meals this summer. That kind of community investment is how we make real progress on ending hunger in Massachusetts."

 

For more information about Summer Eats, including meal site locations, visit www.projectbread.org/summer-eats, text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304, or call 1-800-645-8333 for help in any language.