January 12, 2026
Healthi Kids was thrilled to be included in a recent webinar organized by Hunger Solutions New York titled, “A Collaborative Approach to Summer Nutrition,” alongside partners from across the state. Moderated by Cody Bloomfield of Hunger Solutions New York, the discussion focused on how regional collaboratives are working to ensure kids have access to healthy meals during the summer months—a critical time when school meals aren’t available.
At Healthi Kids, we know that nutrition is foundational to health. Summer meals aren’t just about food—they’re about equity, access, and creating positive experiences for families. That’s why we’ve been proud to help lead the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester, a coalition dedicated to increasing participation and improving the quality of summer meal programs in our city.
Mike Bulger, director of whole child health advocacy, spoke about the role that Healthi Kids plays in convening partners and using data to drive decisions.
“We utilize data, community engagement, and convening—our big superpower—to unite sponsors and partners. Our goal is simple: increase access and improve the experience for families.”
Bulger explained that the Rochester partnership takes a comprehensive approach to making summer meals accessible and welcoming. First, the team creates and maintains a citywide map of meal sites, updating it in real time so families can easily find the closest location. They also analyze participation data and anticipate site closures to identify gaps before they happen. To reach families who can’t get to traditional sites, the partnership has introduced mobile pop-up locations and other flexible service models. Finally, they have focused on the experience itself—training site staff to make meal service friendly and positive, so kids and families feel comfortable and valued.
“It’s not just about coverage—it’s about dignity and joy,” Bulger emphasized. “When families have a positive experience, participation grows.”
Other panelists shared inspiring strategies:
· Aaron Lattanzio (Causewave Community Partners): Shared the origin story of the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester, which launched in 2013 to address declining participation and awareness. He explained how the partnership brings together sponsors, community organizations, and funders, and emphasized the importance of year-round planning and private funding to sustain a coordinated, citywide effort.
· Heather Senecal (United Way of the Capital Region): Highlighted how their collaborative grew from a small group in 2013 to over 30 organizations across eight counties. She described their shift to a collective impact model and showcased initiatives like the Summer Meals Ambassador Program and the Color Your World Activity Challenge, designed to make summer meals fun and engaging for kids.
· Liz Lucas (No Kid Hungry NY): Introduced the Western NY Non-Congregate Working Group, launched in 2025 to support sponsors implementing grab-and-go and home-delivery models in rural areas. Liz stressed the importance of peer learning and flexibility, noting that non-congregate service doubled statewide participation last summer.
The webinar reinforced an important truth: collaboration works. When organizations plan together—as opposed to focusing on individual efforts—participation in summer meals programs grows and the quality of service improves. Panelists encouraged communities to start small, whether that means piloting a shared site map, launching a joint outreach campaign, or testing a pop-up meal site, and then build from those early successes.
Another theme was the importance of designing for the experience, not just the meal. Pairing food with activities and creating welcoming environments helps families feel valued and keeps kids coming back. Finally, everyone agreed that summer planning is a year-round effort. Continuous reflection and adaptation are essential to meeting changing needs and improving outcomes.
Nutrition is health. By working together, we don’t just feed kids—we build stronger, healthier communities.