Summer Meal Delivery FAQ

Who is eligible for this pilot program? 

   All children under the age of 18 who live in these zip codes:

• Caldwell County: 28611

• Caswell County: 27212, 27291, 27305, 27311, 27314, 27315, 27379

• Davidson County: 27239, 27292, 27295, 27299

• Davie County: 27028

• Stokes County: 27016, 27019, 27022, 27042, 27043, 27046, 27052, 27053

• Surry County: 27007, 27017, 27024, 27030, 27041, 27047, 28621

• Wilkes County: 28635, 28649, 28651, 28659, 28669, 28670, 28697

 

I homeschool my kids - are they eligible? 

Yes, any child ages 1-18 is eligible to receive home delivery of breakfasts and lunches.

 

My child is going to summer school. Can they still participate? 

No, if your child is going to summer school or receiving meals from another summer meals site, they are not eligible for home delivery at the same time because they should be able to receive meals at those other locations. When summer school or the other summer meals sites end, they may receive home-delivered meals. 
 

I have kids who live with me part-time and with their other parent part-time. Can I register them for boxes? 

They are eligible for one box only, so you must select one of these addresses for delivery over the summer. 

 

Why is my zip code not on this list? Are there other places that provide meals in the summer? 

If your zip code is not eligible for home delivery, it is outside of the service area partnering with Amazon and/or it is not designated as rural by the USDA.

You can find other locations where you can pick up summer meals at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals2g

 

What comes in a box?

Each child receives a separate box containing 7 shelf-stable breakfasts and 7 shelf-stable lunches. The food does not need to be refrigerated. Cereals, shelf-stable milk, chips, and meat sticks are often included in boxes. The food is selected based on the USDA’s nutrition standards for summer meals.
 

Why is the food shelf stable?

Currently, there is no reliable, safe, cost-efficient way to ship perishable food to rural locations. Shelf-stable food provides convenient meal options for rural families with children at home over the summer.

 

Do I need to be home to receive the package? 

No, you do not need to be home because the food is shelf-stable and does not need to be refrigerated.
 

How is this program funded? 

Home delivery during the summer months is made possible through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, also called SUN Meals-to-Go.
 

I live in an apartment complex - can my child receive a box at the apartment? 

The meal box will be delivered in the same way that any other boxes from USPS or Amazon will be delivered to your apartment complex. If you are not sure how boxes are handled, check with your apartment manager.

 

Can I order a box through my Amazon account? 

No, this program is not connected to the Amazon business. Boxes are shipped for free to your home through a special partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, focused on providing nutritious food during the summer months.
 

How is the data I provide used? 

Names and addresses are used to confirm eligibility and to ensure the child is not signed up for overlapping programs. When you consent to packages being delivered to your home at registration, you are consenting to addresses being shared with Amazon and USPS for delivery.

 

Names and addresses are uploaded to the Shipping with Amazon portal to generate shipping labels. Boxes are picked up and are treated like any other box in Amazon’s system. The driver does not know what is in the box or the purpose of the box.

 

Amazon erases names and addresses from its system every 90 days. 

 

Providence of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina oversees the summer home delivery program, downloads the tracking data weekly, and then submits it to the state agency for oversight and reimbursement. 
 

Does the delivery driver know what’s in the box? 

No, the delivery driver only sees the address and treats the box the same as any other box that would be delivered to a residence. 

 

Why is my box arriving via USPS and not Amazon? 

USPS can reach almost every address in the United States. Because Amazon’s network in rural areas is still growing, it partners with USPS to deliver meal boxes to every child in the zip codes. Boxes delivered by USPS will take 2-7 days, depending on the shipping method used. 
 

What do I do if I have a discrimination complaint?

Please see the USDA’s civil rights policies and regulations here.

 

Whom do I contact about my shipment?

If you have a question that is not covered here, please give the food bank’s program manager a call at (336) 784-5770