Summer Eats 2025 Wrap Up: Nourishing Kids, Feeding Joy, Strengthening Communities

In Waltham, families followed the sound of music and the sparkle of bubbles to the town green, where the kickoff celebration felt like a carnival. Kids climbed down giant inflatables, clutched balloon animals, and raced to spin Project Bread’s prize wheel. Parents stretched out on blankets while an ice cream truck handed out free scoops. And one corner buzzed with a haircut station, where volunteer barbers trimmed line after line of eager kids.

“This is our first time,” one mom shared. “I saw that this was happening in a community newsletter and it seemed like fun. We’ll definitely be back!”

Jason Smith, Assistant Executive Director of the Waltham Boys and Girls Club, said that thanks to Summer Eats, the club kids are nourished daily. “It’s impactful when kids don’t have to worry about food. They can worry about just becoming the best version of themselves,” Smith said.

Salem’s kickoff featured splash pads and shade tents on a sweltering day. Kids painted faces, made masks, and ate hearty meals of chicken, quinoa, and vegetables. “[It’s] hot but fun. There’s a good turnout. The splash pad helps, and there are activities,” Lis S. said, adding that face painting was a hit among her kids.

In Ipswich, Triton Regional School District used its grant made possible by Project Bread supporters to expand into five communities. Grab & Go sites gave families flexibility, and weekend meal bundles ensured kids had healthy food even beyond the school week. “My son was delighted at the diverse and fun treats in his lunch,” one parent shared. “It was so nice to not have to worry about preparing his lunch over the weekend, because he got a delicious and healthy one for both Saturday and Sunday!” 

And in Greenfield, a child who picked up a weekend bundle with his family said Summer Eats has universal appeal. “Some families can't afford food, and this is a very valuable resource to them. I feel like even the people who can still come here because it’s just convenient.” Watch what he has to say in the video below:

For caregivers, the program offered more than meals. It offered breathing room. With free school meals saving families an average of $1,500 per child each year, the summer break meal gap is significant. At the same time, childcare and camp costs soar, sometimes rivaling monthly rent, and parents scramble to cover the extra expenses of summer break.

A national survey found that 61% of parents say summer is the most expensive season to raise kids, and over a third adjust their work schedules due to childcare costs.

“It's a free, nutritious meal that makes families’ lives easier,” explained Chloe Miller, Child Nutrition Outreach Manager at Project Bread. “The burden of cooking, prepping, and buying groceries when they're so expensive can be quite stressful. So Summer Eats is really taking a lot of the work out of that.”

Parents echoed this across the state. “Bringing my kids here for lunch takes one thing off of my plate,” said Amanda, a teacher from Norwood. “And kids love the food and the fun.” Another mom from Northern Berkshire shared, “My picky eater is trying new foods we have never gotten him to eat at home. The choices are fresh and healthy everyday!”

For many, the program created a sense of ease that carried through the season. One Rockland parent put it simply: “We are daily lunchers and we really appreciate it, with a family of 3 kids. And it really brings the community together.”
 

Each Summer Eats meal is designed to be nutritious, balanced, and appealing to kids. Menus ranged from chicken parmesan sandwiches and wraps with fresh vegetables, to watermelon salads and seasonal fruit.

“Summer Eats focuses on easy grab-and-go, kid-friendly food, but with a twist,” Miller explained. “There are always vegetables and fruit available and milk. And when you see kids trying new foods, it shows that the quality of these meals makes a real impact.”

Parents noticed the difference. A mother in Revere praised the consistent inclusion of fresh produce, noting her daughter’s favorites were hot dogs off the grill. And in Worcester, families raved about the fresh wraps and colorful sides.

But the kids said it best. “Eating lunch with my friends at the park was my favorite part of the summer, and the food was delicious,” shared Adrianna, a third grader in Waltham.
 

Miller emphasized how these sites strengthen connections. “We have seen all kinds of students, both high need and in high need areas, but also kids who are just out playing in a playground,” she said. “It helps provide a community space where there's free meals and a bit of that stigma can be broken down because it's often in places where kids already are.”

As summer winds down, kids are returning to classrooms recharged, nourished, and ready to learn. That’s the lasting gift of Summer Eats: it bridges the summer meal gap so that when September comes, no child is starting school already behind.

“Summer Eats is a really important program because it helps fill the gaps between the school year in which students are no longer able to get free school meals,” said Miller. “It provides free meals for kids and teens that are nutritious and can also provide a safe space for activities and engagement during the months that they are not in school.”

Your support means students can walk into classrooms focused on becoming their best selves, not distracted by hunger. Teachers will see kids who are attentive and engaged because they had consistent meals all summer long. Parents can feel proud knowing their children are entering a new school year with full stomachs and full hearts.

As we turn toward fall, Project Bread remains committed to ensuring kids have what they need both inside and outside of school. Because every child deserves not just a seat in the classroom, but the nutrition and support to thrive once they’re there.

Every haircut, every popsicle, every shared meal with friends was made possible because of you. Your generosity transformed the most expensive, stressful season for families into one of laughter, connection, and nourishment.

Together, we are not just filling plates. We are fueling futures. Thank you for giving kids across Massachusetts the carefree summers they deserve and the strong start to school they need.

Make a gift today to build out school breakfast programs, encourage creative and culturally relevant school lunches, and support scratch-cooking with fresh ingredients in schools to carry this momentum of feeding kids into the school year ahead.