Free Summer Lunches Come to Chesterfield Farmers Market
TL;DR: Chesterfield County Public Schools offers free lunches to children at the Farmers Market every Wednesday through August, combining nutrition support with educational activities about local food sources.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Public Schools Nutrition Services Department
- What: Free summer lunches with 80–90% locally sourced ingredients and farm-to-school educational activities
- When: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., June–August 6, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County Farmers Market, 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832
The story
Chesterfield County Public Schools' Nutrition Services Department is bringing free, locally-sourced lunches to the Chesterfield Farmers Market this summer, combining meal service with educational activities designed to connect children to where their food comes from. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through August 6, children under 18 can pick up a scratch-made lunch prepared with approximately 80–90% of ingredients sourced locally within 200 miles of Chesterfield County. The program, held at the farmers market near the Chesterfield County Government Complex at 6701 Mimms Loop, pairs nutrition with teaching moments: each week features a lesson on food origins and local agriculture. Recent activities have included a mobile dairy classroom during National Farm to School Month, and the program distributes educational books like "How Did That Get in My Lunchbox" to help families understand food production and farming practices.
According to Casey Dickinson, assistant director of CCPS Food and Nutrition Services, the educational component is central to the program's mission. "Kids don't know where their food comes from," Dickinson said, "and so being able to show our kids exactly where food comes from" is essential. The initiative addresses a real gap: over 250,000 Virginia children face food insecurity, and many lose access to reliable meals when school ends for summer. More than half of Virginia families with children in public schools report that affording food becomes harder during the summer months, according to a 2025 poll by No Kid Hungry Virginia.
The Chesterfield program is part of a broader state response to summer food insecurity. CCPS also runs traditional summer meal sites at 20 locations across the county from June 23 through July 17 (with closures on July 2), offering free breakfasts and lunches to children ages 1–18 on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the farmers market program uniquely combines nutrition assistance with community engagement and direct connection to local agriculture—giving children both healthy food and hands-on learning. Adults can purchase meals at the market, and parents report the program has made lasting impressions on their families' understanding of food systems.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Public Schools Nutrition Services Department — Program organizer and meal provider
- Casey Dickinson — Assistant Director of CCPS Food and Nutrition Services
Key dates
- 2026-06-04 — Program begins (first Wednesday in June)
- 2026-08-06 — Program ends (final Wednesday through August 6)
- 2026-06-23 — CCPS broader summer meal program begins at 20 sites county-wide
The case for
The program efficiently addresses summer food insecurity while building children's understanding of local agriculture and food systems—creating longer-term awareness of where food comes from. Sourcing meals locally supports Chesterfield farmers and strengthens community connections, while the hands-on educational component enriches child development beyond basic nutrition.
The case against
The program is limited to a single Wednesday location and time slot, which may not reach families without transportation or those unable to visit during those hours. A weekly schedule from June through August may leave gaps in coverage, and families in different parts of the county may find the central location inconvenient compared to the broader summer meal sites available Monday–Thursday at 20 county locations.
Why it matters: Summer food insecurity affects more than a quarter-million Virginia children, and this program directly provides nutrition support while building knowledge about food origins. For Chesterfield families, it offers both immediate food assistance and educational enrichment during school breaks.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-06-04Free summer lunch program launches at Chesterfield Farmers Market: CCPS Nutrition Services begins offering free lunches with local sourcing and educational activities [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/farmers-market-free-lunches-june-11-2026)
- 2026-06-23Expanded summer meal sites open across Chesterfield County: CCPS adds 20 locations offering free breakfasts and lunches, running Monday–Thursday through July 17 [[source]](https://www.oneccps.org/o/ccps/article/2252775)
- 2026-08-06Farmers market lunch program concludes: Final Wednesday of free lunch service at the Chesterfield County Farmers Market [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/farmers-market-free-lunches-june-11-2026)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Farmers Market
- CCPS Food & Nutrition Services
- Virginia SUN Meals and Summer Food Service Program
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Free summer lunches at Chesterfield Farmers Market combine healthy eating with hands-on learning for kids
- Chesterfield County Public Schools offers summer meals for children
- Summer meal programs fill gap as families face rising food insecurity as school ends
- Chesterfield County Farmers Market
- Food & Nutrition Services | Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Free Lunch Brings Healthy Eating Education to Farmers Market