How Bristol Twp. Schools Keep Kids Fed Over Summer Break

For some families, securing daily meals for their children over the summer months poses a challenge.

In Bristol Township, a federally-funded, locally-implemented program is working to be sure area children do not go hungry.

In its third year, the Summer Food Service Program provides free breakfast and lunch to anyone under 18 years old.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and places no residency restrictions on participants, meaning children do not need to be enrolled in the Bristol Township School District to receive food.

“What’s more important is giving the community another access point to meals,” said Brandon Lang, food service director for the Bristol Township School District. “If we weren’t here, that’s one person that doesn’t know where they’re going to get their food.”

The program operates across three sites, including Harry S. Truman High School and Mill Creek Elementary.

At Mill Creek, meals are served Monday through Friday, with breakfast offered from 9 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and lunch running from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All food must be consumed on-site.

“The meals served are nutritious and follow nutrition guidelines set by the USDA. All breakfasts include a milk, fruit or vegetable, and grain/bread and all lunches include a milk, two fruits and/or vegetables, grain/bread, and a meat or protein alternative,” Lang wrote in a letter to parents.

The program is expected to serve up thousands of meals by the time it wraps up on August 26.

Despite changes driven by recent cuts to SNAP benefits and the new Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, the program has continued its daily distribution.

Lang, who joined the district in 2021, helped obtain a federal free meals waiver shortly after his arrival. He is a big believer in the role school districts play in child nutrition.

Schools nationwide supplied a combined 33.8 million free breakfasts and lunches daily in 2025, but data shows access to food drops sharply when classes end for summer.

According to No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger, 87% of children who receive free school meals during the academic year lose access to daily breakfasts and lunches over the summer.

No Kid Hungry released a survey in June showing that rising costs at the grocery store and at the gas station has increased worries for families, with one in three parents reported being concerned about their households running out of food during the summer break.

“These summer meal programs mean more stability for hard-working parents who are struggling to keep up with higher grocery costs,” said Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “We know these solutions work and it’s up to all of us to ensure these programs are reaching as many kids and families as possible.” 

The impact has been felt by township families, including Larry, a local parent who attended a Bristol Township meal session with his son and stated he was glad children now have somewhere to go to have a bite.

Lang pointed out that Mill Creek’s location offers a safety advantage over other facilities, as children do not have to cross the street to reach the building.

If given the opportunity, Lang said, he hopes to expand offerings by using the gymnasium next to the Mill Creek cafeteria or dispatching buses to deliver food to those unable to travel to the sites.

For Lang and his team, the overall mission remains centered on basic access.

“I keep telling my staff, it doesn’t matter who shows up, if it’s one kid, it’s worth it,” Lang said. “You don’t know where that kid’s going to eat otherwise.”

“The meals students receive at school might be the most consistent or nutritious meals they receive all day, and we are proud to provide that support and consistency throughout the summer months,” Lang stated.