Summer got a little fresher this year.

The MetroWest YMCA, Natick Service Council and A Place to Turn Food Pantry joined forces to expand the impact of the 2026 Summer Eats program, bringing a new layer of support to families this summer.

Free meals for kids and teens are paired with a weekly pop up market offering fresh groceries for the whole household.

Summer Eats, a statewide program offered in partnership with Project Bread and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides free, nutritious meals to youths ages 18 and under at sites across the region throughout the summer months, when school meal programs are not in session.

At West Hill Park in Natick, the MetroWest YMCA will serve lunch Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., through Aug. 21.

Games and enrichment activities are also led by YMCA counselors-in-training.

New this year, Natick Service Council and A Place to Turn are joining the site on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with a weekly pop-up mobile market, giving families the chance to pick up fresh groceries while their children enjoy lunch and play.

“When families know they can feed everyone at home, children are better able to learn, grow, and enjoy their summer. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to removing barriers to healthy food and making it easier for families to access the support they need in one welcoming place, said Jeanne Sherlock, chief operating officer at MetroWest YMCA

The mobile market is an extension of each organization’s community food work. A Place to Turn, which has served MetroWest families since 1979, runs a dedicated Community Food Program that brings groceries directly into neighborhoods through mobile markets, agency coordination, and contributing to existing food distribution networks. 

Natick Service Council’s community food program shares that same goal: increasing access to fresh, healthy food by meeting Natick residents where they are, rather than relying solely on a single pantry location.

While programs like Summer Eats ensure children have access to healthy meals, this partnership recognizes that supporting the well-being of the entire family strengthens household stability and creates healthier communities.

“When the MetroWest YMCA and A Place to Turn invited us to collaborate on expanding food access this summer in Natick, it was a no-brainer,’’ said Rachel Vingsness, executive director of Natick Service Council. “Partnerships like this allow us to better serve our community.  We’re thrilled to bring food directly to families, ensuring they have access to healthy, nutritious food - especially when school is out.”

Community members can find a full list of Summer Eats locations and schedules at projectbread.org/summereats or by calling 1-800-645-8333.

Families can select from healthy options. Courtesy photo