News

'Meals on the Bus' rolls this summer to feed schoolkids

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 8, 2026

The Henderson County public schools district is once again participating in the USDA-funded, state-administered Summer Food Service Program to help ensure local children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months.

HCPS’s popular “Meals on the Bus” mobile feeding program will provide free meals to children ages 2–18 at public locations across Henderson County through July 29. No registration is required, and all children are welcome during scheduled meal service times. There's no service on July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

New this year: all meals will be offered to-go, giving families added convenience and flexibility. Children only need to state their name in order to pick up meals. Each meal package will include lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following morning.  Also new this summer, the Henderson County Public Library’s Mobile Library will rotate through select “Meals on the Bus” stops throughout the summer, offering children and families access to books and library resources alongside meal service.

HCPS buses will serve Routes 1 and 2, while Route 3 meal stops will be served by HCPS staff using regular vehicles. Signs will be posted at all route locations.

These open feeding locations are part of a broader effort by HCPS Child Nutrition to serve students at a total of 29 summer sites. In addition to the public “Meals On the Bus” routes, meals will be provided at 18 school campuses for students participating in summer learning programs, as well as at closed sites operated by community partners such as the Boys & Girls Club, and the Salvation Army of Hendersonville. Closed sites require registration and serve only enrolled participants.

All summer meals are planned and distributed in collaboration with the HCPS Transportation Department and must meet federal nutrition and safety standards. Meal times and locations are reviewed annually to ensure compliance and meet the needs of the community.

Families looking for additional summer meal sites across the state can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) (for English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (for Spanish) for nearby locations. For more information about the HCPS Summer Feeding Program, contact the HCPS Child Nutrition Department at 828-891-6310.