Summer Food Programs Feed Millions Children Nationwide

Summer food programs across the United States are helping to bridge the gap for children who lose access to free or reduced-price school meals during the summer break. In South Dakota, Feeding South Dakota’s Summer Backpack Program provides weekly backpacks of kid-friendly, shelf-stable foods with no income requirements, alongside year-round mobile food distributions. Kentucky’s Summer Food Service Program, run by the Kentucky Department of Education and federally funded by the USDA, offers free meals at over 2,000 sites statewide, including options for "to-go" meals in some rural areas. Similarly, Oconee County School District in South Carolina offers two summer meal options for children under 18: a daily on-site meal plan and a weekly meal pick-up plan, though students cannot participate in both. These programs not only provide nutritious meals but also collaborate with community organizations to ensure children receive support during the summer months. Families are encouraged to contact local providers or use USDA resources to find meal sites and service times.