Free Summer Meals for All Kids in the North Cedar Area

New Summer Meal Program

The North Cedar Community School District is offering a Summer Food Program to make sure every child has access to nutritious meals. Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children in Mechanicsville, Clarence, Lowden, Stanwood, Olin, and other North Cedar district areas can receive free breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week (14 meals per week).

  • Please contact Nutrition Director Jen Smith to get signed up — [email protected]
  • The deadline for new families to register each week is noon on Friday for the following week’s meal pickup. (If you already registered once, there is no need to register again.)

NOTE – Pick up times have changed from twice a week to once per week on Wednesdays.

Who Can Participate:

  • Any child ages 0–18
  • No enrollment in North Cedar schools required
  • Children visiting or staying with relatives are welcome

How It Works:

  • Meals are packed in bulk and picked up once a week
  • Meals are picked up on Wednesdays from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at both locations
  • Delivery may be available if needed
  • If there is a week where parents are unable to pick up meals, please contact North Cedar Nutrition Director Jen Smith ([email protected] or 563-452-3179 ext 5) to communicate that information.
  • Final pick up day of the summer is August 12, 2026.

Pick up Locations:

  • Mechanicsville Elementary and the Jr/Sr High School in Clarence

Cost:

  • FREE for all families, funded by the USDA

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 


USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 6200 Park Ave, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.