RRPS offering free lunch, breakfast throughout the summer

Rio Rancho Public Schools will again offer a free summer meal program for students in the community.

The program, which began on June 3, runs until July 26. Lunches for the pick-up day and breakfasts for the following day will be distributed at all sites, unless otherwise noted.

The free Summer Food Service Program fills a critical nutrition gap for many children during summer months when school cafeterias are closed. Prior to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signing the Healthy Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act in 2023, which established universal free school lunches for all New Mexico school children, more than 70% of New Mexico’s public school students qualified for free or reduced-price meals during the academic year.

All children aged 1-18 are eligible to participate. Anyone over 18 who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a state or local educational agency) and participates during the school year in a public or private nonprofit school program (established for the mentally or physically disabled) is also eligible to receive free meals through the SFSP.

“Providing access to free nutritious meals during the summer is a priority for us,” RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland said. “Our Student Nutrition Department feeds more than 10,000 students every day during the school year, which reflects a very serious need for these meals in our community during summer break. We are thrilled to be able to work with Southwest Foodservice Excellence to provide this service for our students year-round.”

Distribution days will be Monday through Thursday (Thursday distributions will include meals for Thursday and Friday).

Meals can be eaten on site or reheated at a later time. All sites will be grab-and go-style and will offer free meals for all children ages 18 and under. Students do not need to attend RRPS, but they do need to be present at the pickup sites to receive meals.

“Last year, we had really good meals, and they're all in parks and so it's a really nice environment to go in and be able to eat outside and pick up the meals,” Cleveland said.

Location

Arroyo de Deportes Park

3501 High Resort Blvd. SE

10:45-11:30 a.m.

A Park Above

2441 Westside Court SE

10:30-11:15 a.m.

Haynes Park

2006 Grande Blvd SE

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

North Hills Park

1901 Strawberry Drive NE

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Enchanted Hills Park

7201 Enchanted Hills Park NE

10:45-11:30 a.m.

Star Heights Park

900 Polaris Blvd. SE

10:30-11:15 a.m.

Rainbow Park

301 Southern Blvd. SE

10:45-11:30 a.m.

Sabana Grande Recreation Center

Sabana Grande Ave. SE

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Cabezon Park and Recreation Center

2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE

10:45-11:15 a.m.