Kids across Tacoma can grab a free sack lunch at 14 parks every weekday through Friday, August 28.
Parks Tacoma's summer meal program launched Monday, June 22, serving any child 18 or younger on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration, no paperwork. Lunch is served from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and free activities like games and crafts run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at staffed sites. Meals must be eaten on site.
The program exists because school cafeterias shut down for summer. Nearly 60% of Tacoma Public Schools students qualify for free or reduced lunch, according to Parks Tacoma citing district data, and the agency placed sites in higher-need areas identified by the district.
During summer 2025, the program distributed 18,686 meals across Tacoma, accounting for 18.9% of all meals distributed in Pierce County.
Parks Tacoma says some sites are new for 2026 but did not specify which ones in its announcement.
A typical lunch: a sandwich on wheat bread or a hoagie roll with meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, plus fresh fruit or a fruit cup and low-fat milk. New for 2026, low-fat chocolate milk is offered on Thursdays and Fridays.
Meals are provided by Pioneer Human Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Tara Mattina, Parks Tacoma's marketing and communications manager, listed the 14 sites in a June 16 press release:
- Eastside Family Resource Center (next to Roosevelt Park), 3569 E. Roosevelt Ave.
- Franklin Park, 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave.
- Lincoln-Eldridge Park, 801 S. 37th St.
- Manitou Park, 4408 American Lake Blvd.
- Northeast Tacoma Playground, 5520 29th St. NE
- Oakland Madrona, 3114 S. Madison
- Sawyer Tot Lot, 3315 S. Sawyer St.
- SERA/STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th St.
- South Park, 4851 S. Tacoma Way
- Stewart Heights Park, 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln.
- Titlow Park, 8425 6th Ave.
- Verlo Playfield, 4321 McKinley Ave.
- Wapato Park, 6500 S. Sheridan Ave.
- Wright Park, 501 South I St.
There is no program on Friday, July 3. Two free Community Market Resource Fairs, presented by Coordinated Care, will connect families with food, healthcare, and social services: Thursday, July 9, at Verlo Playfield and Thursday, July 30, at Stewart Heights Park, both from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Full details at ParksTacoma.gov/summer-meals.
