Annapolis, Maryland, May 27, 2025 — Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) will provide free meals to children ages 2 to 18 starting Monday, June 16, as part of its annual summer meals program. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the program, which has been running since 2003, offers meals regardless of family income, ensuring access to nutrition during the summer months when school is out.
This year, AACPS will operate 23 open meal sites, a reduction from previous years following a review of post-COVID needs, declining participation, and efforts to enhance accessibility and efficiency while complying with federal regulations. Seven sites will serve meals Monday through Thursday: Brock Bridge Elementary School (rural), High Point Elementary School, Lothian Elementary School (rural), MacArthur Middle School, Tracey’s Elementary School (rural), Kim’s Karate in Glen Burnie, and North County Aquatic Center in Glen Burnie.
Additionally, AACPS will deliver mobile meals to 16 community sites across the county. In North County, these include Heritage Hills, Pumphrey Center, and Willows Apartments. West County sites are Orchards at Severn, Meade Village, Spring Meadows, and Still Meadows. In Annapolis, mobile meals will reach Admiral Farragut, Annapolis Gardens, Bywater, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Hilltop Village, and Woodside Gardens. South County sites, all designated as rural, include Boones Mobile Estates, Lyons Creek Estates, and Maryland Manor.
Per USDA regulations, meals at non-rural sites must be consumed on-site, while meals at rural sites—Brock Bridge Elementary, Lothian Elementary, Tracey’s Elementary, and all South County mobile sites—may be taken off-site for consumption. AACPS will also serve meals at 27 additional sites with summer programming, but these are restricted to students enrolled in those programs.
The consolidation of meal sites reflects a strategic response to changing community needs. After the COVID-19 pandemic, AACPS evaluated participation trends and site logistics to optimize the program. The USDA reimburses the district for all meals served, ensuring no cost to families. The program aims to address food insecurity, particularly for children who rely on school meals during the academic year.
Detailed information, including meal service times, will be available no later than June 4 at www.aacps.org/summermeals. The website will provide specifics on locations, schedules, and any additional requirements for participation.
Since its inception, the AACPS summer meals program has been a critical resource for families across the county. By offering free breakfast and lunch, the initiative supports child nutrition and alleviates financial pressure during the summer. The mobile meal delivery, introduced in recent years, expands access to underserved areas, particularly in rural South County and urban Annapolis. The program’s structure ensures compliance with federal guidelines while adapting to local demand.
AACPS encourages families to check the website for updates and to plan visits to open or mobile meal sites. The district remains committed to ensuring no child goes hungry, leveraging federal funding to maintain this long-standing community service.