Lunch at the Library
The California State Library's Lunch at the Library grant supports public libraries in providing summer meals and enrichment programs for youth to combat food insecurity and summer learning loss.
Funder: California State Library
Due Dates: September 1, 2026: Application opens | October 14, 2026: Full application due (by noon)
Funding Amounts: Award amount determined after application review; all eligible applicants receive funding; project period: Feb 1, 2027–Jan 31, 2028
Summary: Supports California public libraries in providing summer meals and enrichment activities for children and teens.
Key Information: All eligible applicants will be funded; budget finalized after review.
Description
The Lunch at the Library program, funded by the California State Library, enables California public libraries to serve as local hubs for summer meals and enrichment activities for children and teens. Participating libraries can become USDA summer meal sites, deliver pop-up library services at community meal locations, and offer educational and wellness programming alongside meal distribution. The initiative also encourages connecting families with sustainable, locally sourced food and hands-on food education, fostering both literacy and healthy habits during the summer.
All appropriate applications receive funding, with award amounts determined based on the size and scope of the proposed plans and the total number of applicants. The program aims to address food insecurity, prevent summer learning loss, and strengthen community connections through library-led services.
