More Than 130 Sites Offer Summer Meals For Youth

Lunch is served at Franklin Square Playfield. Photo taken June 24, 2026, by Sophie Bolich.

Hunger Task Force representatives and community partners gathered at Franklin Square Playfield on Wednesday to launch the 2026 Milwaukee Summer Meals Collaborative, a countywide effort to ensure children have access to free meals while school is out of session.

The initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides breakfast, lunch and dinner at more than 130 sites across Milwaukee County, including schools, parks, apartment complexes, and community centers.

“One in four kids in Milwaukee lives in poverty, and for local families, eating healthy is harder than it has ever been,” said Matt King, CEO of Hunger Task Force.

King, who took over leadership of the nonprofit in 2024, praised last summer’s efforts, which distributed more than 500,000 meals. This year, partners expect to serve more than 450,000 meals across Milwaukee County.

“Food insecurity, especially for kids, peaks during the summer months,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson, adding that the collaboration “addresses a critical need” for the community. “It’s really, really important.”

“This program is more than just meals. It’s about dignity, stability and opportunity,” added state Rep. Kalan Haywood II. “We know children cannot focus on learning and cannot focus on their dreams when they’re worried about what the next meal will be or where it will come from.”

Sample menus adhere to USDA guidelines, offering proteins such as chicken and beef, alongside fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, and milk. Some meals also incorporate local ingredients, such as Sargento cheese.

The balanced meals not only align with federal nutrition standards but also reflect a longtime goal for the county.

“We have a vision to make Milwaukee County the healthiest county in the state — and really in the country,” said David Muhammad, deputy director for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, who attended the event on behalf of County Executive David Crowley. “We need to make sure our kids have access to fresh food every day.”

The kickoff event came with a side of community, as children played basketball and giant Connect Four before lining up for barbecue chicken, green beans, and cornbread during a break in the day’s intermittent rain.

The collaborative relies on more than a dozen partner organizations to cover a wide geographic area. The approach, which Hunger Task Force refers to as the Milwaukee Model, connects meal providers and community partners to ensure families don’t have to travel far for access to food.

“Chances are, there is at least one meal site near you,” said Reno Wright, public policy and advocacy director for Hunger Task Force.

Deon Canon, representing Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and Jacquelyn Judkins, director of Corporate PR and philanthropy at Kohl’s, were also in attendance.

“Everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food, and we recognize that achieving this goal requires continued dedication and collaboration,” Judkins said. “We are fortunate to have organizations like Hunger Task Force in our community leading this important work and creating meaningful change for those who need it most.”

A full list of meal sites and operating hours is available online. Many locations are already serving meals, with additional sites expected to begin service in the coming weeks. The program will continue through late July and, at some locations, through August.

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