Macon County’s free summer meals program has distributed hundreds of breakfasts and lunches this summer and will continue through Aug. 23.
“We have mainly received positive feedback,” said David Lightner, nutrition director for Macon County Schools. “Families are happy that the opportunities are available for children to receive meals at no cost in the summer.”
The free summer meals are part of the Federal Summer Food Service Program, available to any child 18 years of age and younger.
School staffers deliver the meals on weekdays to the Macon County Public Library and New Vision Training Center. The Nantahala Learning Center has breakfast and lunch every weekday except Monday.
Lightner said Macon County averages around 200 breakfasts, 40-50 snacks and 270 lunches per day, and are steadily increasing.
“We follow the federally required meal pattern and guidelines,” Lightner said. Breakfast consists of whole grains, fruit and milk. Lunch consists of whole grains, meat/meat alternatives, fruit, vegetables and milk.”
Certain days have spikes in the number of meals. At the Macon County Public Library, which averages around 60-70 lunches per day, daily programs start at 10 a.m. with the lunches ready at 11 a.m.
Some library events bring larger crowds, meaning more lunches. At the June 13 foam bubble party, school staff provided more than 120 lunches. The June 19 Didgeridoo Down Under Show had over 100 attendees and staff handed out over 70 lunches.
“This partnership is a great way to support families during the summer months with education, fun and nutrition,” Macon County Librarian Abby Hardison said.
New Vision Training Center owner April Ostojic said they have more than 100 children who benefit weekly from the program, with 60-65 each day for snack and lunch.
“The summer food program has excellent, friendly staff who care about the children and the nutritional value of the meals served,” Ostojic said. “There is great variety and quality food for our children who are at day camp all day playing hard. Our program runs very smoothly when we do not have to organize and plan snack and lunch for every child each day.”
Lightner said MCS has been pleased with the program’s success this summer.
“It provides students in our community access to nutritious meals they may not otherwise have, and it provides work opportunities to several of our employees,” Lightner said.
Summer lunch schedule
- Cartoogechaye School, East Franklin School and South Macon School: July 8-12, 15-19, 22-24; breakfast 7:30-8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Franklin High: July 8-9, 11-12, 22-25, 29-32, Aug. 1-19; breakfast 7:30-8 a.m., lunch 11-11:30 a.m.
- Highlands School: July 8-12, 15-19, 22-24; breakfast 7:30-8 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Nantahala Learning Center: Every Tuesday through Friday until Aug. 16, except for July 4; Lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
- New Vision Training Center: Every weekday through Aug. 23, except for July 4-5; snack 10-10:30 a.m., lunch 12:30-1 p.m.
- Macon County Public Library: Every weekday through Aug. 2, except for July 4; lunch 11-11:30 a.m.
Dates and times subject to change.