Katy ISD Summer Meals Program Returns for 2026, Offering Free Breakfast and Lunch for Children Across the Katy Area
As summer break begins and school cafeterias close for the season, Katy ISD is once again stepping in to help ensure local children continue receiving dependable, nutritious meals during the summer months.
Beginning Monday, June 1 — with select campuses opening Thursday, May 28 — the Katy ISD Summer Food Service Program will provide free breakfast and lunch to children and teens 18 years old and younger at several schools across the district. The program is open to all eligible children in the Katy area, regardless of whether they attend Katy ISD schools, and no identification is required.
For many families throughout Katy, Morton Ranch, North Katy and surrounding communities, the program provides more than just convenience during summer break. It offers a reliable source of healthy meals at a time when many children lose access to daily school cafeteria services.
According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, more than one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger. Programs like the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) help bridge that gap while school is out, ensuring children continue receiving balanced meals during the summer months.
Free Summer Meals Available Across Katy ISD
Meals will be served in school cafeteria areas, and children must be present to receive a free meal. Parents and guardians may purchase meals to eat alongside their children.
The Katy ISD Summer Food Service Program is made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administration through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which oversees summer nutrition programs across Texas to help children maintain access to healthy meals while school is not in session.
Katy ISD’s 2026 summer meal locations include:
Hutsell Elementary
- Address: 5360 Franz Rd., Katy, TX 77493
- Dates: May 28 – June 25, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Schmalz Elementary
- Address: 18605 Green Land Way, Houston, TX 77084
- Dates: May 28 – June 25, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Opportunity Awareness Center
- Address: 1732 Katyland Dr., Katy, TX 77493
- Dates: June 1 – June 25, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Morton Ranch High School
- Address: 21000 Franz Rd., Katy, TX 77449
- Dates: June 1 – July 23, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: No breakfast service
- Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- No meal service June 29 – July 3
Mayde Creek High School – 9th Grade Center
- Address: 19202 Groeschke Rd., Katy, TX 77084
- Dates: June 1 – July 30, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: No breakfast service
- Lunch: 10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- No meal service June 29 – July 3
Paetow High School
- Address: 23111 Stockdick School Rd., Katy, TX 77493
- Dates: June 1 – July 16, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
- Breakfast: No breakfast service
- Lunch: 9:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- No meal service June 29 – July 3
Meal site schedules are subject to change, and families are encouraged to call ahead to confirm meal times and availability before visiting a location.
Why Summer Meal Programs Matter for Katy Families
While summer is often associated with camps, vacations and pool days, it can also create challenges for families who rely on school meals during the academic year. Summer nutrition programs help children maintain healthy eating habits, support physical development and provide stability for working parents balancing childcare and household budgets.
The Summer Meals Program includes both the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), two federally funded initiatives designed to support children in low-income areas when school is out of session. The Texas Department of Agriculture administers these programs statewide, working with school districts and approved community organizations to expand meal access throughout the summer.
In 2025 alone, Texas summer meal programs served more than 11.8 million meals and snacks statewide through more than 4,300 approved meal sites, according to TDA data.
What Families Can Expect at Meal Sites
Families visiting Katy ISD summer meal locations can expect supervised, welcoming environments where children can enjoy healthy breakfasts and lunches at no cost. The program is designed to remove barriers to access, making participation simple and available to all eligible children in the community.
For families new to the program, no registration is required for children to receive meals. Children under 18 simply need to be present at the meal site during serving times.
Additional information about Texas summer meal programs, including statewide site locators and resources, is available at SummerFood.org.
As Katy continues to grow, programs like the Katy ISD Summer Food Service Program remain an important part of supporting local families and helping children stay healthy, active and ready for the upcoming school year.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Katy ISD updates, family resources and community news throughout the summer.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
