Summer Feeding Program provides free meals to kids
Children, ages one to 18, are served breakfast and lunch meals free at designated sites in Polk County as part of the Seamless Summer Feeding Program.
This opportunity is provided through the National School Lunch Program and United States Department of Agriculture. It was launched on June 10 and continues through July 29.
Those participating in the program are reminded that all schools will be closed July 4 – July 8.
Patsy Lynch, acting director of Polk School District’s nutrition pro- gram, said a number of children were served meals during 2015.
“I am excited that we are able to offer this opportunity for local children,” she said. “The program offers a nutritional meal to kids who have been dismissed from class for the summer months.”
She said all meals served will follow the New Meal Pattern requirements which includes specified amounts of dark green, red/orange and starchy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, milk with limited saturated fat, sodium and calories.
Federal regulations are that all meals must be consumed on site. There are no income requirements for children to receive the food.
During the summer, breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:15 to 12:30 p.m. at the following sites:
Cedartown High School, 167 Frank Lott Drive, Cedartown.
Northside Elementary School, 100 North Philpot Street, Cedartown
Boys and Girls Club, 321 E. Queen St., Cedartown
Rockmart High School, 990 Cartersville Highway, Rockmart
Van Wert Elementary, 370 Atlanta Highway, Rockmart
4C’s Community Outreach, 436 Hogue Ave., Rockmart – July 11-22 – from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
To date, Lynch said that the numbers at Van Wert are low and that breakfast may be deleted before the summer ends.
Cedartown High has served up to 50 each day since the program began.
Rockmart High served 50 to 60 during the first week and the Boys and Girls Club daily served 80 to 100.
For more information, call Polk School Nutrition Office at 770684-5447.