News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County Schools kick off its summer food service program on Tuesday.
Nutrition Program Supervisor Jennifer Mitchell said the program provides both breakfast and lunch to any child under the age of 18.
“Children do not have to be present for the meal to be picked up,” Mitchell said. “It’s helping to decrease interactions but also to help increase access for children.”
The summer feeding program is not the first of its kind, and Mitchell said that because of the pandemic the state granted the school system waivers which allow the program to reach more students.
Mitchell said the summer menu will be similar to its school year menu with things like muffins for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.
“You either will get like a hot breakfast and a cold, sandwich-type lunch, or it will be a cold breakfast with a hot lunch,” Mitchell said. “Some days we have pizza for lunch, muffins for breakfast, just similar things to what we have during the school year.”
Mitchell said you can pick up food from a number of locations, including Algood Elementary, Monterey High School, and Dogwood Park. The program runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will end Friday, July 16th.
Other Upper Cumberland School systems are also participating in a summer lunch program, including Overton County Schools. SNP Supervisor Dr. Patty Dale said anybody can call to get on the list for meal delivery.
Jackson County with pickups at Dodson Branch School or Jackson County High School from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the month of June. The pick up with be a drive-thru system and kids will be able to receive seven days’ worth of meals.
