Summer food program with Utah Food Bank

With the start of the summer the Utah Food Bank has launched its annual Summer Food Service Program. The vital initiative is designed to fill the nutritional gap for children who typically rely on school-provided meals.,
During a recent interview on the Red Rock Morning Show, Whitnie Shumway, Pantry Operation Specialist for the Utah Food Bank, detailed the program’s expansion and its goals for the 2026 summer season.
The program is specifically designed to provide a “week’s worth” of nutrition in a single visit., Each participant will receive a meal kit containing seven breakfasts and seven lunches, all individually packed with healthy options that kids enjoy.
To provide variety, the food bank is offering two different meal kit options this year, hoping to attract even more participants than in previous summers.
One significant update for the 2026 season is a shift in the distribution schedule. While the program previously operated on Tuesdays, it has moved to Wednesdays to better accommodate the community. The program runs June 3 to August 5.
Distribution will take place at four key locations across the region:
• Blanding Pantry on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:00 p.m.
• Montezuma Creek Pantry on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Monument Valley Pantry on Wednesdays, from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Monticello Elementary School on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m.
Organizers emphasize that the program is free for all children 18 years of age and under.
Unlike the standard year-round food bank services — which require residents to live in Utah and meet specific income guidelines — the summer program has no such requirements. There is no paperwork to fill out, and families do not need to bring any documentation to qualify.
However, Shumway notes one non-negotiable requirement: children must be physically present to receive their meal kits., This means parents or guardians cannot pick up boxes for children who are at home or at a friend’s house.
The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded, meaning high participation rates are crucial for maintaining and growing the initiative.
“The more people the better,” said Shumway, noting that while the first two years were successful, many families often forget about the service as the summer progresses.
By providing these meal kits, the Utah Food Bank aims to ensure that the “gap” created when school lunches disappear doesn’t lead to food insecurity for local families.
Community members are encouraged to spread the word to neighbors and friends to make this the program’s most successful year yet.