Real Food Doesn’t Take a Vacation: How Bartow County’s Summer Meal Program Keep Kids Fed, Healthy, and Thriving
For most of us, the summer bell signifies the beginning of family vacations, morning cartoons, and barbeques by the lake. But for the school food heroes at Eat Real partner district Bartow County School System (BCSS), it was the starting bell of an important mission to keep kids nourished with real food.
In the U.S., 30 million children rely on school meals for over half of their daily calories, making summer a critical time for kids who face food insecurity when school is out. This season, the BCSS food services team stepped up in a big way, serving over 220,000 fresh, nourishing meals to thousands of kids in this Atlanta, GA suburb.
Launched in 2021, Bartow’s summer meal program has become a powerful example of how schools can lead the way in feeding not just students, but entire communities. It’s also a reflection of Eat Real’s vision: that every child deserves a healthy, delicious future on a livable planet. By investing in real food, local ingredients, and whole-child wellness—even during summer break—BCSS is showing what that vision looks like in action.
How Families Benefit from Summer Feeding
For families like Ashley Craig’s, the program is essential. With 7 to 12 kids to feed on any given day—including her own children, neighbors, and guests—Ashley picks up meals almost daily.
“My kids are usually picky, but they asked if we were getting the school breakfasts and lunches this summer. They really love the carrots, bananas, apples, and even the broccoli.”
She also appreciates how the convenient summer meal pickup helped her prepare her Pre-K child for the school year:
“I used the time to show her how to open food containers on her own.”
The program is easy to access and has become a welcome presence in the community.
Healthy Kids, Stronger Communities
This summer, Bartow County Schools served over 220,000 meals at 27 sites—including schools, parks, community centers, and summer enrichment camps. Meals were made fresh daily using real, locally sourced ingredients that kids love. Menus included student favorites such as BBQ sandwiches with baked beans and local oranges, and scratch-cooked chicken drumsticks with homemade squash casserole and fresh apple slices.
But this child nutrition program isn’t just about meals. It’s a proactive effort to promote lifelong health by reinforcing good habits and reducing hunger during a vulnerable time of year.
It also reflects the Eat Real mission to put real food on the table at school and at home.
By prioritizing fresh food, local sourcing, and equity in access, Bartow County’s summer feeding efforts are setting a high standard for what’s possible when real food becomes a year-round priority.
Real Food, Real Impact: Year-Round Child Nutrition
As districts across the U.S. look for ways to improve school food programs, Bartow County School System stands out as a model. With commitment, creativity, and community, they’ve proven that real food doesn’t take a vacation—and neither should nutrition security.
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