Free Meal Programs
Food Office Manager - Ruby White
1111 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 645-3642
[email protected]
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 [email protected].
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 Thompson Community Centers. Sign-up is required. Please call these sites for more
information on eligibility.
Dodge:
667 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 | 614-645-3176
Thompson:
1189 Dennison Ave. Columbus, OH 43201 | 614 645-3082
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 [email protected]
for more information. Limited slots are available.
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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in that 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 to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442
(3) email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.