Free Summer Lunches at Local Libraries

by | Jul 21, 2025 | Around the Valley, Community Engagement

Children and teens in El Monte, Baldwin Park and Temple City can once again enjoy free meals through the summer library lunches program. From June 16 to August 8, 2025, Los Angeles County Library and the Department of Parks and Recreation are teaming up to serve nutritious lunches to youth 18 and under.

No registration is required, and there are no income restrictions. Meals will be offered Tuesday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Baldwin Park Library, El Monte Library and Temple City Library. Meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be eaten on site.

Meals Help Families This Summer

Skye Patrick, County Librarian at LA County Library, said the program continues to be a vital service for local families. “We’re proud to once again provide a safe, welcoming space where children and teens can access nutritious meals, discover books, and stay engaged during the summer months,” Patrick said in a statement.

Norma E. García-González, LA County Parks Director, echoed that sentiment. “No family should have to worry about where their next meal will come from, especially when school is out,” García-González said. “By collaborating with LA County Library to offer free lunches to the youth at 20 library locations, we’re making healthy food accessible and reinforcing that libraries and parks are hubs of support for our communities.”

Program Details and Holiday Closures

Lunches will not be served on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth or on July 4 for Independence Day. All other dates will follow the normal schedule.

Now in its 11th year, the summer library lunches initiative is part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered in California by the California Department of Education. The program is supported locally by the California State Library and the State of California.

Connecting Food and Learning

Staff at participating libraries will set up designated areas where meals can be enjoyed safely. While visiting, children and teens can also explore summer reading activities, check out books and take part in other free programs offered by library staff.

Community members are encouraged to share this information with neighbors and friends who may benefit. Organizers stress that removing barriers such as registration and income requirements helps ensure more children have reliable access to healthy meals during the long summer break.

For more details about summer library lunches, including a full list of participating sites, visit www.LACountyLibrary.org/free-summer-lunch.