As the school year wraps up, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is raising awareness about the vital resources available to children across the state during the summer months. With the closure of school cafeterias, families in need can turn to the Summer Meal Programs, administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in collaboration with local schools, churches, city governments, and nonprofits.

Beginning around June 2, meal sites will start serving no-cost meals to children 18 and younger, as well as enrolled students over 18 with disabilities, in low-income areas. The program aims to ensure that children who rely on school meals throughout the year do not face food insecurity during the long summer break.

Commissioner Miller emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “Children should look forward to enjoying their summers, not fearing food insecurity because they don’t have school meals for almost three months. Our Summer Meal Program partners work hard to ensure kids have the nutrition they need to return to school ready to succeed.”

Families seeking meal assistance can easily locate nearby meal sites using the following tools:

• Visit www.summerfood.org to access an interactive meal site map.
• Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator in English or Spanish.

Since meal availability and schedules may vary by location, Miller encourages families to frequently check these resources to confirm dates, times, and meal options. In rural areas, some locations will distribute multi-day meal bundles to help families who may struggle to visit a site daily.

The Summer Meal Program primarily serves low-income areas, where more than 50 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year. While the program is designed for those 18 and younger, it also extends no-cost meals to individuals 19 and older with mental or physical disabilities who are enrolled in special education programs.

Commissioner Miller is calling on Texans to help spread the word so that every child has access to nutritious meals during the summer. For more information on TDA’s Summer Meal Programs, visit www.SummerFood.org or call (877) TEX-MEAL / (877) 839-6325.

By supporting these efforts, Texas communities can ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.