Pick up Free Meals for Your Family!

Since 2015, San Mateo County Libraries has been serving free meals to the public year-round at the East Palo Alto Library. The program has been such a huge success that we serve up to 100 meals a day! As a result, in 2019 we expanded our meals program to the Half Moon Bay Library. We are thrilled to resume our popular After-School Meals program at both the East Palo Alto Library and Half Moon Bay Library and to expand even further to the North Fair Oaks Library.

Hours of Operation

  • East Palo Alto Library:
    Mondays - Fridays at 3:15 - 3:45 PM
  • Half Moon Bay Library:
    Mondays - Wednesdays, Fridays at 3:00 - 4:00 PM
    Thursdays at 2:00 - 3:00 PM
  • North Fair Oaks Library:
    Mondays - Fridays at 3:30 - 4:30 PM 

Free meals will be provided to children and adults while supplies last. Youth meals are only available to be consumed onsite.  The menu varies and has included hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, tamales, pasta, salads, or a variety pack of small bites (chips, string cheese, crackers, sunflower seeds, sunflower butter and celery) that are popularly known as "snack packs" by our community and staff. Regardless of what is on the menu that day, we can always guarantee that it will come with organic fruit, veggies, and milk to ensure that it is a complete and balanced meal.

Why do we serve meals? Libraries provide all kinds of resources that serve the needs of their communities, including access to nutritious meals. The number of meals served and overwhelming feedback from our patrons reinforces the need for this service.

Library after-school meals are provided by the Child and Adult Care Food program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, opens a new window and sponsored by the YMCA of Silicon Valley, opens a new window. Additional funds are provided by San Mateo County Libraries and the Friends of the Half Moon Bay Library, opens a new window. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

We hope to see you at the East Palo Alto Library, Half Moon Bay Library and North Fair Oaks Library soon!

Changing weather conditions and supply issues could affect some meals service. To check if meals service has changed, get in touch with us.