‘Summer hunger gap’ comes with extra challenge of distance in rural counties. Food trucks, mobile markets aim to bridge gap by bringing food to remote families.

The “summer hunger gap” is a challenge throughout the state, as low-income families who rely on schools to help feed their kids during the academic year lose access to those meals during summer break.

But it can be an even greater challenge in rural counties, where miles can separate families from the food they need and transportation options are limited.

“The biggest issue would be transportation,” said Pam Allen, executive director of Dorchester County’s MidShore Meals til Monday. “Down in the southern parts of the county, we have a lot of food deserts.

“We do have public transportation, but it’s definitely not like the Baltimore area, D.C. area,” Allen said. “Time between pickups could be a long time. So even if you get a ride … they’re going to have to wait an hour, hour and a half, before the bus comes back to pick them up and take them home.”

Rural counties across the state and across the country are more likely to face widespread food insecurity, according to Feeding America, a nationwide food bank network.