From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — The Henderson County Public Schools’ “Meals on the Bus” program, which began June 1, is providing free to-go breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2-18 on weekdays through July 29, excluding July 3.

No registration or documentation is required — children only need to state their names.

The program is intended to help “ensure local children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on May 31.

“A new component to the 2026 program is that all meals will be offered ‘to-go,’ allowing families added convenience and flexibility,” News 13 added.

Meals include lunch for that day — and breakfast for the following morning. Meals are distributed at nine locations across the county in three distinct routes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Henderson County Public Library’s Mobile Library will rotate through select “Meals on the Bus” stops throughout the summer, allowing families access to books and library resources, alongside their meals.

Mobile Library stops include the following:

 Route 1: Includes stops at Justus Truck Lines, Edneyville Dollar General, and Bearwallow Mobile Home Park.

• Route 2: Includes stops at Tuxedo Park, Flat Rock Middle School, and Upward Elementary.

• Route 3: Includes stops at Freeman Gas, Mills River United Methodist Church, and Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department.

The meal delivery times for each stop on Route 1 are as follows:

• Justus Truck Lines, 2507 Sugarloaf Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Edneyville Dollar General, 3426 Chimney Rock Road, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• Bearwallow Mobile Home Park, Koala Bear Trail, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Times for Route 2 stops include the following:

• Tuxedo Park, 1299 Old US Highway 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Flat Rock Middle School Parking Lot, 191 Preston Lane, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• Upward Elementary School Bus Lot, 45 Education Drive, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Times for stops for Route 3, driven by Henderson County Public School staff in regular vehicles, include the following:

• Freeman Gas, 4848 Asheville Highway, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Mills River United Methodist Church, 137 Old Turnpike Road in Mills River, from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• Etowah Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan Road and Highway 64 in Etowah, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information about the HCPS Summer Feeding Program, call the HCPS Child Nutrition Department at (828) 891-6310.