Starting this summer, any child age 18 and younger will be able to eat breakfast and lunch for free at two schools in Albert Lea.

Director of Food Service Mary Nelson said the summer meal program is federally funded and that any child in the area can eat for free at either school site. Unlike during the school year when families have to apply for free or reduced lunch, this program is serving meals free of charge to any child.

“It’s not just families with economic issues, because anybody can come and eat,” Nelson said.

The program starts June 11 and runs intermittently through Aug. 9. Mondays through Thursdays from June 11 to June 28 breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8 a.m. at Albert Lea High School. Lunch will be served those dates at the high school from 11 a.m. to noon. Those same dates lunch will also be served at Halverson Elementary School from 11 a.m. to noon. Then Mondays through Thursdays from July 9 to July 26 ALHS will serve breakfast from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to noon. And Mondays through Thursdays from July 16 to Aug. 9 breakfast will be from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. and lunch will be from 11 a.m. until noon.

“Both sites are open to any child of any age so if they live closer to one they can go to the meal there,” Nelson said.

The dates run in conjunction with summer school at the high school and with the Targeted Services program at Halverson. For questions people can call the food service office at 379-5300.

Nelson said that because the program is federally funded that the meals will be balanced and nutritious based on federal guidelines. She also said she’s hopeful that children will come out and take advantage of the service so that it might be offered again in the future.

“We’re hoping it can be offered more,” Nelson said. “We’re doing it this year to see what kind of response we get but we’re hopeful it will be something that we see the need for in the community.”