TCFB continues grab-and-go summer meal options for families in Okeechobee

Posted 7/23/26

This summer, Treasure Coast Food Bank (TCFB) is returning to Okeechobee ...

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $10 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

TCFB continues grab-and-go summer meal options for families in Okeechobee

Posted

OKEECHOBEE  – This summer, Treasure Coast Food Bank (TCFB) is returning to Okeechobee and Indian River to provide families with increased access to free, healthy meals through a non-traditional "grab-and-go" summer model. Returning for its second consecutive year, Treasure Coast Food Bank is utilizing a flexible, non-congregate model designed specifically to help families in rural communities overcome common barriers like transportation and busy work schedules.

Unlike traditional summer meal programs that require children to eat their food on-site, this model allows parents to pick up multiple meals at once to take home. Operating from June 8 through August 7, 2026, Treasure Coast Food Bank will distribute 7-day meal packs, providing families with a full week’s worth of nutritious breakfasts and lunches for their children.

Following a successful roll out last summer that distributed an additional 26,000 meals across three new sites, the food bank has expanded its overall footprint this year to include a total of six grab and go sites.  There are 19 overall sites serving children on the Treasure Coast throughout the summer.  

“Last summer, we saw the impact when we added these sites to Okeechobee,” said Judy Cruz, president and chief executive officer for Treasure Coast Food Bank. “The summer months can be incredibly difficult for families, and being able to bring the meal site a bit closer helped tremendously. We knew we had to offer this model again this summer.”  

Funding and operational support from No Kid Hungry Florida directly supported the development and expansion of this non-congregate model to help Treasure Coast Food Bank reach more kids in Okeechobee. 

“We know how resilient our rural communities are, but the summer months can be incredibly difficult for any family,” said Nayshma Jones, program manager for No Kid Hungry Florida. “These models bring the meals a little closer to where families are. They are a critical step in making sure no child goes hungry over the summer months.”

These expanded services are part of Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program. To find a meal site or view pickup schedules, visit SummerBreakSpot.org.

Okeechobee sites listed on the Summer Break Spot site:

Okeechobee Library
206 SW 16th St.
772-545-1255
Saturday
Breakfast Hours
July 1-31 at noon to 1 p.m.
Aug. 1-8 at noon to 1 p.m.
Lunch Hours
July 1-31 at 1:01 p.m. to 2 p.m.

More 2 Life Ministries
551 NE 39th Blvd
772-489-3034

Lunch Hours
Wednesday
July 1 - Aug. 4 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 5-9 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
PM Snacks
July 1 - Aug. 4 from 11:31 a.m. to noon
Aug. 5-9 11:31 a.m. to noon

Okeechobee County Cattlemen’s Arena
1885 US 441 N
772-446-1749
Wednesday
Lunch Hours
July 1 - Aug. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Aug. 5-9 from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
PM Snack Hours
July 1 - Aug. 4 10:01 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 5-9 from 10:01 - 10:30 a.m.

Okeechobee Softball Fields
950 NW 23rd Lane
772-489-3034

Thursday
Lunch Hours
July 2 - Aug. 5 from 9:30 -10 a.m.
Aug. 6-9 from 9:30 - 10 a.m.
PM Snack Hours
July 2 - Aug. 5 from 10:01 - 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 6-9 from 10:01 - 10:30 a.m.

Sports Complex-Pool
580 NW 27th Lane
772-489-3034
Lunch Hours
Thursday
July 2 - 29 from 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
July 30 - Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. - noon
Aug. 6-9 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
PM Snack Hours
July 2-29 from 11:31 to noon
July 30 - Aug. 5 from 12:01 - 1 p.m.
Aug. 6-9 from 11:31 - noon

Treasure Coast Food Bank, summer, meals, snacks
x