Helping Families Stretch Food Budgets During the Summer
Kaitlyn P., Community Health & Wellness Agent
For many families, summer brings a change in routine that can also create challenges around food and grocery budgets. Without school meals during the day, parents and caregivers often find themselves preparing additional breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and drinks at home. Rising food costs can make this season especially stressful for households already trying to balance tight budgets.
Planning ahead and using available resources can help families provide nutritious meals while reducing financial strain. Consider these practical tips to make summer meals more manageable:
- Create a weekly meal plan. Planning meals before shopping helps reduce impulse purchases and food waste. Include simple breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks that use overlapping ingredients.
- Shop sales and seasonal produce. Grocery stores often advertise weekly specials on fruits, vegetables, meat, and pantry staples. Seasonal produce is typically more affordable and tastes fresher during summer months.
- Use coupons and store reward programs. Digital coupons, store apps, and loyalty programs can help lower grocery costs. Comparing unit prices can also help determine the best value.
- Prepare meals and snacks at home. Homemade snacks such as popcorn, trail mix, cut vegetables, yogurt parfaits, or sandwiches are often less expensive than individually packaged convenience foods.
- Buy staple foods in bulk when possible. Rice, pasta, oats, beans, peanut butter, and frozen vegetables can stretch across multiple meals and help families save money over time.
- Limit food waste. Freeze leftovers, repurpose ingredients into new meals, and store produce properly to help food last longer.
- Involve children in meal preparation. Kids can help rinse produce, prepare snacks, or choose healthy meals for the week. This can encourage healthier eating habits while reducing mealtime stress.
It is also important to recognize that many families may experience food insecurity during the summer months. Seeking assistance is a responsible and helpful step when food budgets become difficult to manage.
Families may benefit from:
- Local food pantries
- Community food distribution events
- Meal kit food programs
- Summer meal feeding sites that provide free meals and snacks for children
Many schools, churches, libraries, and community organizations host summer meal programs for youth throughout the summer break. These resources can help ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is out of session. The Douglas County Food Resource Guide offers a comprehensive list of food resources.
Below are details from our local school districts and communities about congregate and meal kit options for families to consider.
Summer should be a time for families to enjoy time together, stay active, and make memories. With thoughtful planning and community support, families can navigate summer food challenges while continuing to provide healthy meals for their children.
Baldwin School District
Where: Baldwin Junior High, located at 400 Eisenhower, Baldwin City, KS. Delivery is available in the Baldwin area.
When: June 3- July 29.
More info: Weekly meal kits will be available at no cost to students participating in the free or reduced-price meal program during the school year. Meal kits are also available to purchase.
Feeding Eudora
Where: Eudora Public Library, located at 14 E 9th Street, Eudora, KS.
When: Meals will be served each week, Tuesday- Thursday, noon to 1:00 pm. With the exception of the week of June 29.
More info: Visit the Feeding Eudora Facebook page.
Lawrence School District
Public Meal Site
When: Monday-Friday, June 1st - July 24th (no meals June 19 or July 3), 12:00-12:45 pm.
Where: Sunset Hill Elementary School, located at 901 Schwartz Road, Lawrence, KS.
More info: Meals must be consumed on-site. No registration or ID required. Free for ages 1-18, adult meals $5. No residency restrictions.
Weekly Summer Meal Kits
When: Tuesday mornings, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21 from 7:00- 9:00 am.
Where: Douglas County Fairgrounds Open Pavilion, located on the north end of the fairgrounds at 2110 Harper Street. Enter off of 19th street (near the Humane Society).
More info: Pick up five days of breakfasts and lunches to prepare at home. Free for kids 1-18, no adult meals. Registration is required. No residency restrictions.