Metro Action Commission Seeks Community Partners to Feed Nashville Kids This Summer

The agency is looking for organizations to serve as meal sites for youth programs during June and July.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:35pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, muted tones depicting a group of children playing and laughing together in a community setting, conceptually representing the Metro Action Commission's efforts to feed Nashville's youth over the summer.The Metro Action Commission's summer food program aims to provide nutritious meals to Nashville's youth when school is out of session, supporting local community organizations and addressing food insecurity.Today in Nashville

The Metro Action Commission in Nashville, Tennessee is seeking community partners to serve as meal sites for kids in the city and Davidson County this summer. The agency provides free breakfast and lunch to youth programs and other locations where young people gather during June and July. Programs must either serve youth directly or be located near schools that participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch program to qualify as a meal site.

Why it matters

Many children in Nashville rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year, so ensuring they can access nutritious food over the summer is an important community need. The Metro Action Commission's summer food program aims to address this gap and support local youth programs.

The details

The Metro Action Commission has the capacity to serve about 100 community locations as meal sites. Programs interested in participating that are not currently enrolled must submit applications by April 15. Training for new and returning programs will be provided in May, and there will be ongoing monitoring and support throughout the summer. The program runs from June 1 to July 31.

  • The summer food program runs from June 1 to July 31, 2026.
  • Applications for new meal sites are due by April 15, 2026.
  • Training for participating programs will be held in May 2026.

The players

Metro Action Commission

A local government agency in Nashville, Tennessee that provides community services and programs, including the summer food program for youth.

Marvin Cox

Program director of the MAC Community Outreach Division, which oversees the summer food program.

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What they’re saying

“With summer quickly approaching, it's important to consider how children who rely on free or reduced‑price school meals will continue to access nutritious food while school is out.”

— Marvin Cox, Program director of the MAC Community Outreach Division

What’s next

Programs interested in becoming a meal site for the summer food program that are not currently enrolled must submit their applications by April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Metro Action Commission's summer food program plays a vital role in ensuring that Nashville's youth have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session, supporting local community organizations and addressing food insecurity.