Summertime represents the end of school and oftentimes the end of many kids’ healthy diets.
“There are so many kids who spend the summer eating high-calorie, low-nutrient dense foods,” said Jennifer Montague, director of Kalispell Public Schools Food Service. “A lot of studies out there provide evidence that children gain more weight during the summer than during any other time.”
Recognizing the need for quality nutrition during the break, Kalispell’s Food Service will begin providing free, healthy meals to anyone under 19 years old this summer. Breakfasts and lunches will be available beginning in June at Elrod and Russell elementary schools and Woodland Park. Kids only need to show up and a healthy meal will be waiting, Montague said. The food items will be similar to those served during the school year, including local beef hamburgers, local produce and other made-from-scratch snacks.
“This is a very important program for our community,” Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Darlene Schottle said. “I’m very excited. This is an all-around positive opportunity to enhance our children’s healthy eating process.”
The local Food Service, a self-sustaining program in the school district that provides more than 4,500 meals five days a week during the year, qualified for sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. The federal program began in 1968; by 2009 more than 2.2 million children were provided free meals across the country.
Through the sponsorship, Kalispell’s Food Service will be reimbursed for a large percentage of the program’s cost.
This school year saw a spike in students eating school lunches, largely because of Kalispell’s high number of students eligible for free or reduced meals. Depending on the school, between 36 and 72 percent of students qualify for meal support, according to Schottle.
The three sites where free summertime meals will be served are in neighborhoods with the highest percentage of children qualifying for free or reduced meals.
A recent study highlighted the consequences of Americans’ unhealthy eating habits. A report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that 42 percent of the nation will be obese by 2030. Currently about one-third of U.S. kids are either overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Montague is motivated by such stark statistics, which is why the summer meals will be accompanied by healthy activities, too.
“We want to not only provide meals but provide a positive, safe place for kids to come spend a portion of their day,” she said.
Meals will be served at Elrod Elementary at 412 3rd Ave. W. from June 18 to Aug. 24. Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meals will be served at Russell Elementary at 227 W. Nevada from July 9 to Aug. 24. Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meals will be served at Woodland Park from June 11 to Aug. 24. Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.