Free Meal Programs
Food Office Manager - Ruby White
1111 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 645-3642
foodoffice@columbus.gov
Summer Food Meals
Families in need, can text "Food" to 877-877, and receive a text back that will show free meal sites closest to them.
¡Spanish Si! Text "Comida" to 877-877 to receive information about summer meals sites in Español.
Our Summer Food Program, Go, Lunch!, offers free, nutritionally balanced meals during the Summer months at our community recreation centers along with other various locations. (Dates and times may vary.)
Last Summer, more than 41,000 meals were served at over 62 locations in the Columbus area. These meals are served to anyone between the ages of 1-18. Meals are also available for anyone ages 18-21 who have been determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and involved in an independent education program. Our (downloadable) Summer Food information can be found here: English, Spanish & Somali.
Is your organization interested in hosting a Go, Lunch!
Summer food program? Please “click here” to access our 2021 Columbus
Recreation and Parks Summer Lunch Program Site Application. Please be
aware that applications are due April 15th, and your organization
must qualify as a non-profit in order to participate.
2021 Columbus Recreation and
Parks Summer Lunch Program Site Application Link: https://forms.gle/tbFZoJFDHzrBVvFp9
For information about hosting a Go, Lunch! Summer Food Service site please email foodoffice@columbus.gov.
After School Meals
For the current school year, your Recreation and Parks Department has several locations that operate as Activity Learning Points, where students can bring their computer – or access a computer if needed – to complete and get assistance with schoolwork. The department will also have Physical Activity Sites where kids can participate in structured activities to help them stay active. These sites will provide free, shelf-stable meals to all participating youth.
Please reach out to your local community recreation center for more information.
Senior Food Program
Senior Food Boxes are available
for pick-up 1-2 times per month from Dodge and Beatty Community Recreation
Centers. Sign-up is required. Please call these sites for more
information on eligibility.
Dodge:
667 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 | 614-645-3176
Beatty:
247 N. Ohio Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203 | 614-645-3218
Mobile Produce Markets
Since March 2020, the CRPD Food
Office has pivoted focus towards emergency feeding services. The
Mobile Produce Market, originally executed at 17 Columbus City School
sites, transitioned to 13 Community Recreation centers. Every week,
residents of the greater Columbus area gain access to fresh fruits and
vegetables while never having to leave their car. Mobile Produce Market
staff will load your vehicle with enough produce to last at least a week.
Picking up for neighbors, family members, and friends are highly encouraged!
Our Mobile Produce Market schedule
can be found on the Facebook page: GoLunchCbus or the website GoLunch.club.
Strawberry Food Truck
Would you like to schedule the
Strawberry Food Truck to visit your youth-centered organization? Please
call 614-645-3642 or email foodoffice@columbus.gov
for more information. Limited slots are available.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.