What behind-the-scenes food experiences affect kids who attend your VBS? As children’s ministry leaders, perhaps we have food-related assumptions we need to reconsider. Read on to gain perspective as you prepare to host VBS at your church this summer.

As our team at Group developed Crave VBS, we marveled at how God nourishes and sustains our bodies through food. We also found that food is a deeply personal part of people’s lives. Kids and volunteers who attend VBS will have different experiences with food. Certainly, we want to show Jesus’ love and care to all who come!

So we reached out to some nutrition and public health professionals to get a pulse on food conversations happening with kids and families today.

We connected with Teresa, a nutritionist specializing in community education. For the past 13 years, Teresa has led nutrition education programs for kids in preschool, students in K-12 schools, and adults. Additionally, we connected with Anna, a public health practitioner. Her team visits schools to provide heart health education and screening.

These experts caution against five inaccurate food-related assumptions. It’s our hope that this information educates and equips your team as you stir up a hunger for Jesus this summer.

Five Food-Related Assumptions to Avoid

#1. Don’t assume: All children know where their next meal is coming from.

According to a 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture study, 18.4 percent of households with children were affected by food insecurity. Food insecurity happens when a household doesn’t have reliable access to enough affordable and nutritious food. In about half the households affected by food insecurity, parents were able to shield kids from the worst effects so only adults were food insecure.

The kids you lead may not have eaten breakfast before VBS. And they may be missing vital school lunch programs during summer months.

With this need in mind, some churches have intentionally decided to serve a meal before or after their VBS program. Serving a meal has become a great way to nourish needs and grow friendships. Gerrilynn, who serves in children’s ministry in Massachusetts, shared about serving lunch at her church’s VBS: “Lunch is offered to everyone—not only to our VBS kids, but also to their parents or guardians, siblings, and our entire volunteer team. We let families know during registration that lunch will be available each day if they would like to stay. Not everyone does, of course, but many families choose to join us.”

#2. Don’t assume: Every kid comes from a home where the rest of the family has a positive relationship with food.

Anna shares this insight: “One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how strongly children’s beliefs about food are influenced by the adults around them, including parents, caregivers, teachers, and social media. It’s common to hear students repeat messages they’ve heard at home, such as, ‘My grown-up says carbs are bad for you,’ or ‘I’m not supposed to eat that because it’s unhealthy,’ or ‘If you eat a lot of sweets, you have to work it off later.’ Even at a young age, many children are already picking up ideas about dieting, restrictions, and food ‘rules.’ ”

#3. Don’t assume: Kids always want food—and lots of it!

Teresa explains, “Some children may get hungrier than others, and some might not want a snack at all, and that’s OK. Encourage children to listen to their bodies and notice if their bellies feel full or hungry. Make sure they know it’s OK to say ‘no, thank you’ if they don’t want to try something or aren’t hungry. Always give them the choice to try something or not and honor their decision. Avoid labeling children as ‘picky eaters’ if they don’t want to try new foods. This label has a negative connotation and there may be more going on such as texture sensitivities.”

#4. Don’t assume: Every snack you provide is safe for kids to eat.

Teresa cautions, “Be aware that there are some foods that may not be safe for some kids. For example, before providing any kind of snack or tasting, ensure that you have collected any food allergy information. And avoid having snack foods that would require excluding children with food allergies. For example, only offer nut-free snacks. For some neurodivergent children, there may be texture or flavor sensitivities triggered by foods. Some children with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder may need to be offered ‘safe’ food without any pressure to try something new. VBS or kids’ church leaders should collect food allergy information so staff and volunteers can ensure a safe experience for all.”

Consider these food policy best practices as you cook up VBS at your church this summer. These best practices will help you create a safe and hospitable environment for all kids—including those with food allergies and sensitivities.

#5. Don’t assume: Disordered eating only impacts females.

The National Eating Disorders Association is a nonprofit organization that supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders. According to the organization’s research, 9 percent of the U.S. population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. That’s nearly 31 million Americans. And it’s estimated that 8.6 percent of females and 4 percent of males will experience eating disorders at least once in their lives.

Teresa shares what to do if a child tells you about a food-related issue: “If a child confides in me about a food-related issue, such as an eating disorder or food insecurity, my job is to connect them with the resources they need to meet those needs. If it’s food insecurity, I would connect them with the school social worker who could sign them up for a backpack program so food is sent home with them for the weekend, or who may contact the family to provide food assistance resources. For an older child or teen who may share that they struggle with an eating disorder, I would direct them to tell a trusted adult who can get them the specialized support and treatment needed in collaboration with the child’s medical provider.”

As a children’s ministry leader, how might you preemptively network with schoolteachers, counselors, or social workers in your community? Those connections will equip you with guidance and resources to share with kids and their grown-ups should a need arise.

Jesus knows what we need.

In conclusion, consider this verse from Philippians 2. Paul writes, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

This summer, as brothers and sisters in God’s family, let’s agree to consider the interests of others—specifically the kids we meet and lead. With tender and compassionate hearts, let’s help kids look to Jesus, who knows and cares about their every need. May you prayerfully invite God to work through your church family to meet the needs around you this summer. We’ll be praying, too!

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Looking for information about helping kids with other needs that may arise at VBS? Here are three additional articles that may help. Check out “Anxious Times: What You Need to Know About Childhood Anxiety” to help kids with big worries. Read “Tough Stuff: Talking With Children About the Death of a Loved One” to help come alongside hurting kids at VBS. And find help with separation anxiety in “20 No-Fail Tips for Helping Preschoolers’ Separation Anxiety.”