img_0300.jpgFor 30 years, the federal government has funded free meals for students during the summer months. How many meals are served in New York City, the largest  school system in the country? Statistics are not yet available for this summer's program, which ends on Aug. 28, but last summer, the city served up more than 7.25 million at a cost of about $21 million. Given the economic downturn, it will be no surprise if this year's numbers top 2008's.

In addition to breakfast and lunch served at city schools, youngsters between the ages of 5 and 18, can get a free meal at some  of  the city's pools, parks, housing projects, food kitchens, and libraries - more than 1,000 locations in all. This summer the city even added a second lunch session at some pools, so that midday meals are served from 11  a.m. to 1:15 p.m. , and again from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.<!--more-->

AtMS 131 in Chinatown this morning, three long tables were filled with mothers and their young  children just moments after the cafeteria opened. According to program supervisor Carl Strauss, MS 131 serves up an average of 650 lunches a day.  Today's menu featured French-bread pizza, a green salad, and fruit aplenty; children could choose from bananas, peaches, plums, and sliced cantaloupe or watermelon.

There are two weeks left until the program ends on Aug. 28. If you are between the ages 5-18 18 or under, there is such a thing as a "free lunch."  Simply show up at a participating school or site at meal time.