Welcome back to our blog series, the No Kid Hungry New York Partner Spotlight. We’ll be speaking to our partners across the state, learning what’s new in their 2026 summer meals programs, and celebrating the tremendous work they do to ensure that more kids have access to the fuel they need to learn, grow and thrive. This week, we heard from Megan Munson at Dryden Central School District.
Can you describe your community and school district? What do you love about where you live and work?
“Dryden is a close-knit, rural community in the heart of Tompkins County. What I love most about our community is the strong sense of connection—people genuinely care about one another and take pride in supporting our students and families. Our school district reflects that same community spirit. We’re a smaller district, which allows us to build meaningful relationships with our students and families and really get to know the people we serve. I love that there is a strong sense of Lion Pride and that our staff are incredibly dedicated to making a difference in students’ lives. From a Food Service perspective, I’m especially proud of how connected we are to our community. We’ve been able to build relationships with local farmers, producers, and businesses and bring more local food into our schools. It’s rewarding to know that the meals we serve are not only nourishing our students, but also supporting the community around us. I think what makes Dryden special is that it truly feels like a community—not just a school district. There’s a lot of heart here, and I’m proud to be part of it.“
What are some of the challenges your community is facing that you’d like to address?
“From a school food perspective, one of the biggest areas I’d like to continue addressing is food access and food insecurity. We have an opportunity to make sure every child has access to nutritious, appealing meals—not only during the school day, but throughout the year. I’m proud that our district has been able to provide meals during the summer and connect with community partners to reach families outside of the traditional school setting.“
How do you get kids excited to eat summer meals?
“For me, it’s really about meeting kids where they are. Summer should be fun, and food should be part of that experience. When kids see familiar faces, feel welcomed, and know they’re going to get something they enjoy, they’re much more likely to participate. We also listen to what they like and use their feedback to shape our menus. Ultimately, we want kids to associate summer meals with good food, fun experiences, and community—not simply a free meal.”
What keeps you motivated to do this work?
“What keeps me motivated is knowing that the work we do has a direct impact on our students every single day. Food service is about so much more than putting a meal on a tray—we’re helping students fuel their bodies, focus in the classroom, and develop healthy relationships with food. I’m also motivated by the opportunity to keep improving. I love looking at what we’re doing and asking, “How can we do this better?” Whether that’s cooking more from scratch, sourcing more food locally, reducing processed ingredients, creating meals that kids are excited to eat, or finding ways to make our program more sustainable, there’s always an opportunity to grow. And honestly, the kids are the biggest motivator. When a student tells us they loved something we made, comes back for seconds, or gets excited about seeing a favorite meal on the menu, it reminds me why all the behind-the-scenes work matters. I want our students to be proud of their school meals, and I want our community to see school food as something valuable—not something we simply have to provide. That’s what keeps me excited about the work.”
If you could tell everyone in America something about free summer meals, what would you tell them?
“I think people don’t always realize: when families participate in summer meals, they’re also supporting their local school district. Participation helps strengthen these programs and demonstrates that there is a need for them in our community. The more our community uses and supports the program, the better positioned we are to continue offering and growing these services.”
What’s the best feedback you’ve gotten about the work you’ve done in your summer meals program?
“One of the best pieces of feedback I’ve received actually came from a parent while we were handing out summer meals. She asked me how we make our macaroni and cheese because her child told her that “Mom doesn’t make it as good as the school does!” That really made me smile, but it also meant a lot to me. It’s easy to focus on the numbers, logistics, and everything that goes on behind the scenes to make a summer meals program happen. But hearing that a child genuinely look forward to and enjoys the food we’re serving is incredibly rewarding. For me, that’s exactly what we want summer meals to be—nutritious food that kids are excited to eat and that families feel good about. If we can make a child’s favorite mac and cheese and give them a positive experience with school meals even when school isn’t in session, I consider that a win.“
What are you most proud of regarding your summer meals program?
“I’m most proud of what our team is able to accomplish with the resources and staff we have. We operate our summer meals program with a very limited team, yet we’re still able to produce and serve a significant number of meals for our community.”
At No Kid Hungry New York, we thank Megan and the food service staff members at Dryden Central School District for their dedication and enthusiasm in feeding kids throughout the summer. We’re grateful to support their work and honored to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary program!
