Hernando County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Receives Award for Expanding Summer Meal Access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hernando County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Receives Award for Expanding Summer Meal Access
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Hernando County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has been awarded a Summer Breakspot Meal Service Milestone Award by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for their accomplishments during the 2025 Summer Breakspot meal program.
The award recognizes organizations and sponsors that demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in ensuring children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. Recipients are selected based on criteria such as program reach, innovation in meal delivery, compliance with federal and state guidelines, and overall impact on food access for children in underserved communities.
Hernando County Schools was recognized for its commitment to expanding access to nutritious meals through non-congregate service models, particularly in rural and high-need areas. The district's efforts focused on strong program management, efficient meal distribution, and ensuring that children who might otherwise go without meals continued to receive the nutrition they need throughout the summer.
"This recognition reflects the dedication of our Food and Nutrition Services team and our community partners in addressing childhood hunger," said Holly Longo, director of food and nutrition services.

Growing Impact 
The impact of Hernando County's summer meal program has been significant. With the introduction of non-congregate feeding options during the 2024–2025 summer program, participation increased dramatically. The district served 50,614 breakfasts and 54,382 lunches, demonstrating how flexible meal distribution models can remove barriers for families and expand access to healthy food.
"The impact really highlights the importance of this work and reinforces that our approach is making a measurable difference in the lives of children and families throughout Hernando County," said Longo.
The availability of five days' worth of breakfast and lunch meals through weekly pickup options helped increase participation, particularly in communities where transportation challenges or work schedules can make daily meal site visits difficult.
 
Summer 2026
This summer, Hernando County Schools will continue expanding access by offering meal pickup opportunities at accessible school locations throughout the district.
More information about the summer program can be found here https://www.hernandoschools.org/summer-feeding