School meals for 2026-27

Starting in fall 2026, we anticipate some schools will lose eligibility for schoolwide free meals.

• Based on updated state and national qualifications, we expect Squalicum High School, Fairhaven and Whatcom middle schools, and Lowell and Northern Heights elementary schools will return to a standard lunch model with some students paying full price and others eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
• Schools that continue to qualify for free breakfast and lunch for all students (based on federal and state criteria) include Alderwood, Birchwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, Happy Valley, Parkview, Roosevelt and Sunnyland elementary schools; Shuksan Middle School; and Options High School.
• For Columbia, Geneva, Silver Beach and Wade King elementary schools; Kulshan Middle School; and Bellingham and Sehome high schools: free and reduced-price meal eligibility qualifies students for a daily, free breakfast and lunch.
• Over the past 10 years, Bellingham Public Schools has had between one and 15 schools qualify for universal meals. All 22 sites qualified under pandemic waivers spring 2020 to spring 2022. We assess eligibility every year to ensure we qualify as many schools as possible under the federal and state criteria.

If you have questions about our Food Services program, please call 360-676-6504 or visit the Food Services webpage.

Summer food

Bellingham Public Schools will offer a summer food program for children during summer break 2026. Meals will be available at no charge to children who are 18 years of age and younger and students in Community Transitions and other district programs.

The dates, times and locations for summer 2026 are:

Parkview Elementary School 3030 Cornwall Avenue
Monday to Thursday, June 29 to July 23
Free breakfast will be served from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.
Free lunch will be served from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Whatcom Middle School, 810 Halleck Street
Monday to Thursday, June 29 to July 23
Free breakfast will be served from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
Free lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Summer food for students is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA.) This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

SUN bucks

Eligible students will receive $120 for groceries this month via the state’s SUN bucks program. Get more info at sunbucks.dshs.wa.gov/en.

Food Bank locations and times

In addition to these summer food locations in our school cafeterias, if you live in Bellingham and need additional food support, the Bellingham Food Bank is here to help.

The main food bank, located at 1824 Ellis Street, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; there is no need to sign up in advance.

If you have a question, have food to drop off, or want to make a donation to the food bank, please email info@bellinghamfoodbank.org.