Summer should be one of the best times of year for kids, as they get a break from classwork to enjoy time outside with friends. But far too many families in Tennessee struggle to replace the meals served at school, making it the hungriest time of year for many children. This means kids miss out on a consistent source of nutrition, and families’ already tight budgets are stretched even further. 

This year, we have a monumental opportunity to change that, thanks to hard-fought policy wins that will help reach more kids with nutritious food in the summer months. New summer grocery benefits and expanded flexibilities for rural communities work alongside traditional summer meal programs to provide a comprehensive solution to the long-standing challenge of summer hunger.

Research shows that when kids don’t get the nutrition they need, they’re at higher risk of both short- and long-term health challenges, and diminished physical and emotional wellbeing. Hunger can also exacerbate summer learning loss, or the “summer slide” – without access to nutrition during the summer months, it’s that much harder for kids to return to school next year ready to learn. 

Free summer meals programs, run by local schools and community groups, can help fill that gap by providing healthy meals at no cost to kids and teens at familiar places like parks, pools, libraries, schools and rec centers. These healthy meals are free for all children and teens ages 18 and under, and don’t require any application or registration, proof of income or immigration status. Kids can just show up and enjoy a meal.

In certain rural areas, meals can now be delivered to children who need them or picked up at a central location and taken home, potentially for up to 10 days at a time. Last summer, more flexible non-congregate service gave rural families more access to much needed summer meals. At the end of 2023, the USDA issued guidance on non-congregate summer meal programs, expanding the eligibility of who can distribute non-congregate meals. As a result, beginning this year, even more rural families across the country will have access to summer meal programs.

To find nearby summer meal sites, kids and caretakers can text the word “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 or visit the Free Meal Finder map at NoKidhungry.org/Help

Summer EBT provides eligible families with $120 per child in grocery-buying benefits during summer break, helping replace the meals kids would otherwise get at school.This helps ensure children get the nutrition they need in the summertime when schools are closed, and helps families who often see a strain on their grocery budget during summer break. Summer EBT works alongside traditional summer meal programs, rural non-congregate summer meals and SNAP to provide a comprehensive solution to the long-standing challenge of summer hunger.

No Kid Hungry Tennessee has been advocating for these policy changes for years. Now we’re working hard to ensure they reach as many kids as possible. No Kid Hungry is working to support successful Summer EBT implementation in Tennessee, providing grant funding to ensure rural summer meals options successfully reach more communities, and offering a Free Meal Finder where families can find summer meals in their community.