Summer Meals Celebrate Local Foods

While school was out in July and August, communities across the Commonwealth ensured that children still had access to healthy foods by operating summer meal programs. The programs are run by school districts as well as numerous community based organizations. While the programs may run for just a few months, many have developed strong relationships with local farmers and incorporate the summer bounty into their meals.

New School Nutrition Director to Northampton Public Schools, Mistelle Hannah, wasted no time getting local foods into her Summer Meals program this season. Serving between 80 and 100 meals each day across 4 sites throughout the city of Northampton, Hannah took advantage of the harvest from Czajkowski Farms in Hadley and included fresh blueberries and strawberries in her meals. Hannah also participates in the Harvest of the Month program during the school year and works closely with Grow Food Northampton to bolster her Farm to School programming. 

In addition to partnering with local farms, Hannah is piloting a “Garden Party Monday” at one of her elementary school sites. Children who participate at this site have access to the school garden beds and participants can eat what they sow! 

Hannah uses word of mouth, social media accounts and plenty of flyers hung around Northampton, to promote her summer meal programs. You can find updates and news surrounding the Northampton Public School Food Service on Twitter @NPSFoodService.

These summer meals are a critical resource for families around the state who struggle to afford healthy foods when school is out. If you want to see expanded summer meal programs in your community next year, or you’d like to help a nearby summer meals program incorporate farm fresh foods, be in touch. There are lots of resources to support your efforts. To get started, visit our farm to summer page, and take a look at the great videos we developed with the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Project Bread. Planning early for next summer will set you up for success!