North Central families will find both breakfast and lunch offered at area schools this summer (photo courtesy of Madison School District Food & Nutrition Services).

School is out, and for many Valley families, that means that access to daily healthy meals for their school-aged children becomes more challenging. In fact, the Arizona Food Bank Network says that while Arizona produces 12 percent of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, one in every seven Arizonans struggles with food insecurity – the occasional or constant lack of access to food – throughout the year. There are resources available, however, and area schools will once again take the lead this summer.

Madison School District, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will participate in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to children 18 years of age or younger. Children do not have to be enrolled in any summer program or at Madison Elementary School District to participate and no application or paperwork is required. Community members wishing to participate should report to the school office and ask to be directed to the cafeteria. Meals must be consumed on-site and during meal times. Service is first-come, first-served.

Program locations include Madison No. 1 Middle School, 5525 N. 16th St., Monday through Friday, June 2 to July 25 (closed June 19 and July 4) from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. (breakfast) and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (lunch); Madison Camelview Elementary School, 2002 E. Campbell Ave., Monday through Thursday, June 2-18 (closed Fridays), from 7:55 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. and noon to 12:20 p.m.; Madison Park Middle School, 1431 E. Campbell, Monday through Friday, June 9 to July 3 (closed June 19), from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon; and Madison Heights Elementary School, 7150 N. 22nd St., Monday through Friday, June 2 to July 25 (closed June 19 and July 4), from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Additionally, families who qualify for free or reduced meals will continue to receive Sun Bucks this summer of $120 per eligible child. This money will be automatically uploaded to their EBT cards. If families do not already have an EBT card, one will be sent to them. For additional information about the free summer meal program, contact the Madison School District at 602- 664-7900 or visit www.madisonaz.org.

Families in the Osborn School District will have access to free breakfast and lunch for all children and teens aged 18 and under from June 2-27 (closed June 19). Adult breakfast will be available for $2.75; lunch is available at $4.75.

Meals will be hosted at Longview Elementary School, 1209 E. Indian School Road, from 8:15-8:45 a.m. (breakfast) and 12:45-1:15 p.m. (lunch), and at Encanto School, 1420 W. Osborn Road, from 8:30-9 a.m. and 12:45-1:15 p.m. Families should check in with the front office upon arrival. For questions, contact the Child Nutrition Program at 602-707-2700 or visit www.osbornnet.org.

The Washington Elementary School District (WESD) will offer free breakfast and lunch meals for children and teenagers up to 18 years old this summer until June 18.

Meals are available Monday through Thursday at all WESD schools, including Desert View, Maryland, Moon Mountain, Mountain View, Orangewood, Richard E. Miller, Royal Palm and Sunnyslope. No application or registration is needed. All meals must be consumed on-site. Adult meals will also be offered at a cost.

To view specific dates times for each school, visit www.wesdschools.org. For more information, contact the WESD Nutrition Services Department at 602-896-5235.

Families looking for information statewide can visit https://azfoodbanks.org/get-food.