STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City is making sure that any hungry residents have access to free, nutritious meals this summer with no strings attached.
On Monday, the Department of Education (DOE) launched its free summer meals initiative, providing free “grab-and-go” breakfast and lunch to any New Yorker at meal hubs located throughout the five boroughs.
“Every New Yorker should have access to healthy, nutritious food this summer — no matter who they are or where they live,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Our heroic food service staff continue to show up for their neighbors, and I am proud that our schools are a partner in the fight against hunger.”
Residents can receive the meals at one of approximately 400 sites located throughout the city, including a dozen sites here on Staten Island.
The sites are open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but will be closed on Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day, and Tuesday, July 20, for Eid-ul-Adha.
In addition to the grab-and-go meals, take-home-and-cook options will be available at the community hubs, though the choice of items may vary according to location and availability.
Those items may include: Baked ravioli; beef burgers; burritos (southwest); buttermilk biscuits; buttermilk pancakes; chicken (oven roasted and sliders); fish patties; French fries; garlic toast; grilled cheese; Jamaican beef patties; mac and cheese; mozzarella sticks; omelets; pizza; stuffed shells; turkey (oven roasted and breakfast sausage patty), and waffles.
The DOE has menus available for free breakfast and lunch meals.
Breakfast meals include cereal, juice, milk, graham crackers and sun-butter cups. Lunch meals include assorted deli sandwiches or wraps with different proteins, vegetables, fruits and milk.
All menus are subject to change. Menus are pork-free, and no fried food is offered or served in the meals. No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners are used in any school meal.
No registration, identification or documentation is required to receive the free meals. No dining space is available, so meals must be eaten off-premises.
Vegetarian meals are available at all community meal sites, while halal and Kosher-certified meals are available at select locations. Kosher-certified meals are available on Staten Island at CSI High School for international Studies, New Springville. Expanded halal meals are available at PS 22 in Graniteville, CSI High School for International Studies, and Curtis High School in St. George.
To find a location online, search here, text “NYC FOOD” or “NYC COMIDA” to 877-877, or call 311.
Here is a complete list of meal hubs on Staten Island:
- Curtis High School, St. George — 105 Hamilton Ave.
- Jerome Parker Campus, New Springville — 100 Essex Drive
- Egbert Intermediate School (I.S. 2), Midland Beach — 333 Midland Ave.
- Staten Island School of Civic Leadership, Graniteville — 280 Regis Drive
- PS 18, West Brighton — 221 Broadway
- PS 22, Graniteville — 1860 Forest Ave.
- PS 31, New Brighton — 55 Layton Ave.
- PS 44, Mariners Harbor — 80 Maple Parkway
- PS 55, Eltingville — 54 Osborne St.
- PS 57, Clifton — 140 Palma Drive
- PS 78, Stapleton — 100 Tompkins Ave.
