Gettysburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today joined students and staff in the Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) to highlight the importance of free summer meals for district students when school isn’t in session.
“The summer months can leave students with a sense of uncertainty about where their next meal may come from,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Free summer meal sites give students peace of mind about where their next meal will come from, and helps them fuel their minds and bodies.”
During the summer of 2024, more than 4.7 million meals were served. This year, there are more than 2,100 sites where Pennsylvania children can get a free, nutritious meal. The Gettysburg Area School District served over 9,300 combined breakfasts and lunches during the summer of 2024, and an estimated 12,500 during the summer of 2025.
The USDA Summer Meals Program is a federally funded program that provides free meals to children so they can receive the same high-quality nutrition during school vacations as they receive during the school year. Continued nutrition helps them return to school after summer ready to learn. Children 18 and under are eligible to receive meals at one of Pennsylvania’s many sites this summer, and all meals and snacks served through the program must meet federal nutrition standards, and require servings of grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables, and milk.
“We’ve seen a 25 percent increase in participation this summer compared to the prior year, and it’s incredibly encouraging. More families are finding us, more kids are getting free meals, and more awareness is being built across our community,” said Nicholas Milone, GASD food service director. “This program is about more than just providing food – it’s about fueling futures for our students. We want every child in our community to feel supported, nourished, and ready to thrive when the school year starts soon.”
In addition to serving a nutritious lunch for students over the summer months, GASD prepares grab-and-go breakfast meals for students.
“For some children, school meals are their most consistent source of nutrition. When school is out, that need doesn’t go away. This program is designed to be seamless and fill that gap, ensuring every child has access to healthy meals they need to grow, learn, and feel their best throughout the summer,” said Milone.
The Shapiro Administration has made it a top priority to ensure Pennsylvania Students start the day with a full stomach, ready to learn. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal includes funding for universal free school breakfast for a third consecutive year, helping to ensure Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million students continue to receive free breakfast at school, regardless of income. As a result of universal free breakfast, more students are able to start the day with a nutritious, filling breakfast in the morning to kickstart their day and get their minds ready to learn. In 2024, more than 90 million breakfast meals were served in schools – that’s nearly 10 million more meals than were served the previous school year.