The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
School district introduces summer food truck
The Elyria City School District’s Sodexo food service again is offering free summer meals to youngsters, but with a new twist this year.
Sodexo is feeding the youth on wheels rather than going to select food sites for the summer food service program.
Students still can receive free breakfast and lunch meals at certain schools over the summer.
The food department began using its new food truck June 20 to reach more youngsters, according to Tera Fridley, director of food service for Elyria City Schools.
The meal truck provided a healthy meal of turkey and cheese sandwiches with fruit, veggies and milk to youngsters.
Food service truck drivers Colleen Dalton and Courtney O’Dell traveled June 20 to Franklin and Oakwood elementary schools, and to South Park.
Throughout the summer, the trucks will make stops from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Youngsters also are welcome From left, Elyria Schools’ Foodservice Truck Drivers Courtney O’Dell and Colleen Dalton stand proudly with Director Tera Fidley as they wait to provide free meals to youngsters in the area of Oakwood Elementary and West Park in Elyria on June 20. O’Dell and Donald burned some new rubber as they used their meal truck for the first time June 20 in the Elyria School District’s Summer Meal Program.
to have free breakfasts or lunches at Midview Crossing and Elyria High School.
Meals will be provided
this year Monday through Friday until Aug. 17; meals will not be provided from July 4-6.
The district has provided free summer meals to students younger than age 18 for at least five years, Fridley
said.
Dalton said the summer program is meant to help some of the youth and families with food.
It also helps families with food costs, she said.
Through the No Kid Hungry Act, Elyria Schools are trying to work toward the initiative with the food truck, Fridley said.
The food service program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which then reimburses the district for meals served between the truck or sites, she said.
Last year, the program provided thousands of meals, Fridley said.
“This is just a great opportunity to feed more children while they’re outside enjoying their summers,” she said.
Because other organizations also provide free meals in the community, Fridley said it makes her feel good knowing that some families are not going hungry.
O’Dell and Dalton said that the opportunity is special because they are doing something good for the community.
To check times and addresses of the locations, visit www.elyriaschools.org and click the tab to find times and locations or call 440284-5214.
A menu of foods will be added to the site.