Mon, June 1, 2026 at 7:48 PM UTC
Kern County Library offers free lunches for kids, teens throughout summer
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Library announced its 12th year of “Lunch at the Library,” offering free lunches and activities for children at libraries across the county during summer break.
The program aims to provide healthy meals for kids and teens during the summer months, according to library officials.
All children between the ages of 2 and 18 can get free lunches at participating libraries. They can also take part in storytimes, hands-on activities and the Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, officials said.
The lunch schedules at the libraries are as follows:
Arvin Branch: June 2 – July 24, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Baker Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Beale Memorial: June 2 – July 31, Mondays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Boron Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Buttonwillow Branch: June 2 – July 31, Mondays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
California City Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Delano Branch: June 10 – July 17, Wednesdays through Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Frazier Park Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Holloway-Gonzales Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Kern River Valley Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Lamont Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
McFarland Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Mojave Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Northeast Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Rathbun Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Ridgecrest Branch: June 2 – July 10, Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Rosamond Branch: June 9 – July 31, Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Southwest Branch: June 2 – July 31, Mondays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Taft Branch: June 8 – Aug. 14, Mondays through Wednesdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Tehachapi Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Wasco Branch: June 8 – July 21, Mondays through Tuesdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
Wilson Branch: June 2 – July 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 1 p.m.
More than 18,000 meals were served through this program in 2025, according to the Kern County Library.
The Library said it is also using a farm-to-table approach this year. It is set to teach participants through stories and activities where food comes from and how it helps communities grow to connect kids to the idea of fresh food, local agriculture and healthy eating.
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