Minneapolis, St. Paul public schools offer free school meal boxes

Free school meal boxes will be available to all youth, 18 and under, provided by Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools.

MPS says 29 sites will be available for pick-up on school days across Minneapolis. Most sites have pick-up times from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The school meal boxes contain seven breakfasts and lunches that meet MPS Culinary and Wellness Services’ standards for nutrition and quality ingredients, including school favorites, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk will also be offered on the side, with up to 14 milk cartons per box, according to MPS.

Other information regarding the school meal boxes include:

• All youth 18 and under can participate.
• Youth do not need to be enrolled in MPS.
• Youth, parents or siblings can pick up one box per child, per week.
• Pick up at any of the 29 school sites, no registration required.
• All sites are open Monday through Friday, most from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a few have extended hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MPS is able to offer the free meal boxes through a short-term waiver issued Aug. 31 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After it expires, MPS will continue to serve food to MPS students and will keep the community informed on all changes that will take effect at that time, the district said.

For questions, please call 612-886-2820 or contact MPS.

SPPS are also continuing to provide meal boxes to kids.

Meals can be picked up any weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Signs are up at the following pick-up locations:

• Harding High School (main entrance)
• Johnson Senior High School (main entrance)
• Central High School (door 2)
• Open World Learning (main entrance)
• Washington Technology (door 4)