Free summer lunches are still available at 10 Salem-Keizer schools, but families can no longer grab a meal and leave.

A federal rule change ended the grab-and-go format the district used throughout the pandemic, and children must now eat on site.

The district says it's the first time since before the pandemic that communal dining has returned to its summer meal sites. Hot lunches are served Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., to any child ages 1 through 18. No school ID is required. The program runs through Friday, Aug. 28.

Christina McMahan, Salem-Keizer's Coordinator of Nutrition Services, told Salem Reporter on Tuesday, July 15, that she sees the new on-site format as a chance to build relationships in the community.

At Waldo Middle School on Monday, July 14, Shawna Nelson was already serving plates to local children under the revamped program.

Why the change

Under current Oregon Department of Education rules, the district must have children eat on site to receive federal reimbursement for summer meals.

That requirement ended the grab-and-go option Salem-Keizer had offered since the pandemic began.

The district said in its official summer meals FAQ, published Thursday, May 29, that federal rules for summer meal programs changed but did not name the specific regulation or its effective date. Salem-Keizer attributed the shift to federal policy without further detail.

Where to find a meal

The 10 sites are: Battle Creek Elementary, Claggett Creek Middle, Four Corners Elementary, Judson Middle, Lamb Elementary, McKay High, McNary High, South Salem High, Waldo Middle, and West Salem High. The program runs every weekday through Aug. 28.

Students in the district's Community Transition Program who are 19 or older may also qualify.

Other food resources

The district's page lists help beyond the school lunch line: Marion Polk Food Share offers free groceries with no ID or proof of income required, 211info connects families to more than 1,700 food resources statewide, and the Summer EBT Program provides grocery benefits for school-age children when school is out.

The summer meals program is funded through Oregon Department of Education reimbursement grants. No school board vote was required for the operational change.