Apply to be a summer meals kick-off school!

Want to create buzz, increase participation and make your summer meals program unforgettable?

Dairy West is selecting a limited number of schools to receive hands-on support for a high-energy Summer Meals Kick-Off event—complete with tools, resources and ideas to turbo-charge your program.

Selected schools will receive:

• Event planning support
• Engaging promotional tools & resources
• Ideas to drive excitement and participation
• Partnership with Dairy West to elevate your program

This is a competitive opportunity—we’re looking for schools that bring enthusiasm, creativity, and a strong commitment to making summer meals amazing for their communities.

Supporting summer meals: fueling kids all year long — even when school is out!

Dairy West is proud to support summer meal programs with resources that help school nutrition professionals keep kids nourished and engaged during the summer months. Whether you're serving meals in the park, at schools or through grab-and-go programs, we’re here to make it easier — and more fun — for you and the families you serve.

What We Offer:

Make Mealtime Playful with “Meals on a Frisbee” - Turn mealtime into playtime with Dairy West’s new frisbee promotional item—a simple, high-impact way to boost excitement and participation in your summer meals program. Serve meals right on the frisbee as a tray, then let students keep it for active play after they eat! This “meal on a frisbee” concept creates a fun, memorable experience that encourages kids to show up, stay engaged and get moving.

It’s an easy win for both nutrition and physical activity—all in one!

Order these new frisbees and other resources on our materials request form!

Cultural Summer Meals Toolkit — These downloadable, printable resources support culturally relevant menus and meaningful community connection. Passports encourage children to learn more about different countries and food they love. Getting their passport stamped at your summer meals encourages increased participation. That's a win for everyone!

• Passport Activity Booklet

• Hanging Banner 72x48
  

• Sandwich Board 24x36

• Passport Stickers - Avery 94505

We know summer meals look different in every community — and we’re excited to partner with you to make your program shine.

See it in Action: Cultural Summer Meals & Summer Kick-Off Success

Learn how West Ada school district in Idaho used culturally inspired menus and community partnerships to boost summer engagement and earn national recognition.

Read the story »

Additionally, programs like Bonneville School District’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Idaho show how summer meals not only provide essential nutrition, but also foster community connection and increase participation when paired with creative engagement. Thanks to support from local organizations and businesses, including Dairy West, Hillview Elementary alone served a record 358 meals in one day at their summer meals kickoff event in 2024, with overall June summer meals participation increasing by over 35% for breakfast and 23% for lunch compared to the previous year!

Have a success story from your summer meals program to share? Reach out to Deena Benson – we'd love to hear it!

Stay Connected with Fellow School Foodservice Professionals

Looking for ideas, inspiration or answers from peers? Join our Dairy West School Foodservice Facebook Group — a space to ask questions, share success stories and celebrate the important work you do!