The Summer Lunch Program is in full swing around several schools in Carbon County. Because Carbon County is considered an economic disadvantage area the program allows for the establishment of several sites in order to accommodate both children and families.
“This is actually a great USDA sponsored program that we are able to take advantage of at five different sites or school in Carbon County that qualify under the free and reduced numbers that we have,” stated new Child Nutrition Program Director, Heidi Anderson. She is no stranger to the school district’s Nutrition and Food Services program as she worked as the department’s secretary and with former Director Patti Rigby, who retired at the end of the school year.
“Anybody that is 18 years or younger can eat for free; anybody that’s 19 and older its just a charge of $4.00. At most of the sites we can do cash, check or credit card,” said Anderson. The program caters to the youngest patrons by making baby food available upon request. As per federal guidelines meals are not “grab-n-go” they must be consumed on site.
Just three weeks into the program shows an increase in the number of children benefiting from the meals. “If we don’t have the kids and the parents coming to eat then this is a program that could potentially go away and that’s something we definitely don’t want to do,” explained Anderson. “Right now, we are servicing in the area of 700 to 800 kids a day and we’d actually like to serve more if we could, we really enjoy being able to give this benefit to the community.” The program helps to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer.
There are five sites in the area with Bruin Point, Creekview and Sally Mauro Elementary open for lunch Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Wellington site is at the City Park Monday through Friday 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Castle Valley Center is the only site that will offer both breakfast and lunch during the summer months. Breakfast is only scheduled for 30 minutes starting at 8:30 am till 9:00 am and lunch is Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Breakfast items can include oatmeal, French Toast, breakfast pizza and breakfast corndog. As for the lunch items you may enjoy chicken nuggets, nachos, orange cheeseburgers and PBJ sandwiches and pizza are served daily. Kids will have three choices, at least until the kitchen starts running out of the most popular choice for that day. Kitchen staff try to prepare enough but don’t want to over prepare. Children and families are encouraged to arrive early to the sites due to the fact that meals are served for a set amount of time.
To learn more about location, times and menu of the Summer Lunch Program visit the https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks