Gates Chili Central School District

More than half of Gates Chili students are on free or reduced lunch throughout the school year. The USDA Free Summer Meals program, now in its eighth year at Gates Chili, is part of a national program seeking to help those families in need. It allows the district to provide anyone 18 years or younger with free meals five days a week.

As part of this program, the district rolled out the Spartan Eats bus, a used school bus converted into a school cafeteria lunch line on wheels. In 2018 the Spartan Eats bus served 2,300 lunches across three locations.

The Spartan Eats bus was recently recognized by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) as part of their Champions of Change for Kids program. Champions of Change for Kids celebrates programs that optimize existing resources to address issues of equity, demonstrate strong student academic performance and introduce unique learning environments that are cutting-edge and future-oriented.

There are no income requirements for USDA Free Summer Meals program and no registration is necessary. Parents/guardians may also purchase a meal to eat with their child. Breakfast is $2 and lunch is $4 for parents/guardians. This year’s program runs from July 8 until Aug. 16 at Gates Chili High School and Paul Road Elementary School.  The Spartan Eats bus will make stops at Memorial Park and Lions Park this summer. For more information visit Summer Meals.