Children ages 1 to 18 can receive free breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at North, Northeast and South elementary schools.
Nutrition coordinator Nichole Poppie said the overall goal of the program is to continue providing nutritious meals for children when school is out.
“The summer meals meet the same guidelines as the school year meals,” she said.
At each meal, participants can expect an entrée, some fruit, veggies and low-fat or skim milk. If one does not like the meal served, they can also choose cereal and toast at breakfast and peanut butter and jelly at lunch as an alternate.
Recent breakfasts have included muffins, yogurt, breakfast burritos, waffles and French toast while recent lunches have included fajitas, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, penne pasta, and grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Nutrition services supervisor Tony Jorstad said funding for the program comes from the Colorado Department of Education through the United States Department of Agriculture. In order to qualify for the program, schools must demonstrate need by having 50 percent of its students receiving free and reduced meals.
“We know there’s a need for healthy meals, so we’re proud it’s a service we’re able to provide,” he said.
According to Jorstad, Northeast Elementary School serves about 250 meals per day while North and South elementary schools serve about 100 meals each day. He said the program is for anybody in the community who wants to stop in, and that they don’t have to be an enrolled student to stop by for breakfast or lunch.
Parents and adults are also welcome to have breakfast or lunch for a (nominal) fee. Breakfast costs $2 and lunch is $3.50.
North Elementary School is located at 89 Sixth Ave, Northeast Elementary School is located at 1605 Longspeak St. and South Elementary School is at 305 South Fifth Ave.
Contact Crystal Nelson at 303-659-2522, ext. 223 or email cnelson@metrowestnewspapers.com.