Become a Meal Site
Local Lunchbox rethinks how USDA funding is used to bring delicious, locally-made, culturally-familiar meals to kids 18 and under, 365 days a year.
As a meal distribution site, you can bring healthy, local food to your community.
HOW IT WORKS:
Learn More About Being a Meal Site
TWO TYPES OF MEAL SITES:
Community Groups
Schools
Schools can serve USDA-reimbursable meals year-round through any USDA feeding program.
Community Groups
How it works
Your org will be paired with a Financial Sponsor (eg YMCA, a school) who will purchase meals from a local food business on your behalf – if you’d like to sponsor your own program, learn more here
The food will be delivered to your site daily
The Financial Sponsor receives reimbursement from USDA for every meal served
What meals are allowed?
Who’s qualified?
Any program serving kids age 0-18 who qualify for free lunch can participate at no cost
Learn more about eligibility: About Area Eligibility
There may be restrictions if your program uses a facility that already has a food contract
Minimum program size: 50 lunches (or suppers) served per week, total
The program needs a physical address but can be hosted outside (e.g. a park)
What are the requirements?
Meal sites must be willing to record all meals received and served
Must assign one person as a point of contact
Meals must be eaten in-person (no grab & go), and programming must be offered
To get started, fill out the Local Lunchbox Meal Site Template form
The form will ask if you want to make a copy - click the blue ‘Make a Copy’ button
Email the completed form to Hello@LocalLunchbox.org - someone from the team will get back to you shortly
How it works
In most cases, schools will be their own financial sponsors for all USDA programs
Schools are the only entities that can sponsor breakfast and lunch during the school year
If your school does not sponsor USDA meals, a school can be paired with a community group for summer and after-school meals who will purchase meals from a local food business on your behalf
The food will be delivered to your site daily
The Financial Sponsor receives reimbursement from USDA for every meal served
What meals are allowed?
After-school programs (CACFP): snack & supper
Summer programs (SFSP): breakfast & lunch
Who’s qualified?
Any program serving kids age 0-18 who qualify for free lunch can participate at no cost
Learn more about eligibility: About Area Eligibility
There may be restrictions if your program uses a facility that already has a food contract
Minimum program size: 50 lunches (or suppers) served per week, total
The program needs a physical address but can be hosted outside (e.g. a park)
What are the requirements?
Meal sites must be willing to record all meals received and served
Must assign one person as a point of contact
Meals must be eaten in-person (no grab & go), and programming must be offered
To get started, fill out the Local Lunchbox Meal Site Template form
The form will ask if you want to make a copy - click the blue Make a Copy button
Email the completed form to Hello@LocalLunchbox.org - someone from the team will get back to you shortly
Schools
Schools can serve USDA-reimbursable meals year-round through any USDA feeding program.
“Lemon chicken wings with salad, Italian dressing, and potatoes. Very delectable!”
”There’s so much variety, and we have more flavor in [the food].”
”I used to be very hungry and sometimes I have an attitude and my day would be bad and now I have a full meal and it is, it’s just amazing.”