LYNNFIELD — There’s an old saying that says, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.”
Well, actually there is, if you are Lynnfield resident under the age of 18.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it will extend its free meals for kids program. The so-called summer meal program will continue to operate through the end of the year or until funding runs out
Lynnfield Food Service Director Jim McCarthy announced at a recent school committee meeting that Lynnfield schools, in accordance with the USDA decision, will now be participating in the program and offering families the opportunity to receive two meals a day every day of the week regardless of need or eligibility.
“Specifically, this is a way for the USDA to deal with the pandemic. They want the kids fed well and they don’t want parents to have to be worrying about it,” McCarthy said. “Parents are more stressed out than they ever have been. This is an opportunity for us to really help them out.”
McCarthy said the district previously participated in the National School Lunch Program.
“We could stay under the NLSP, but it has much stricter parameters we would be dealing with,” he said. “By jumping into the seamless summer operating program, it’s an easier transition, and we can offer this program seven days a week instead of five.”
Students are eligible for free meals regardless of whether the district is in a remote or hybrid learning model. McCarthy said his department is developing a plan initially for curbside pickup Monday to Friday, but is also looking into delivery options to make the program more attractive to parents. Foods will be top quality, from several name-brand manufacturers, including Pillsbury, Rich’s, Tyson’s, Land O Lakes, Kelloggs and General Mills.
“I think that what we really need to do is express to the parents that this is a good thing and there is no stigma attached to it,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to be using nothing but the best foods, brand names that they know.”
McCarthy said not only does the program guarantee healthy and nutritious meals for children — including fresh fruit and salads — but it also opens the door to future funding and grants, as well as jobs for food service employees.
“I’m sure you guys all know that, like every other food service department across the county, my department took a massive hit, but I’m paying everyone through the end of the year,” he said. “This is good for all of us and it will help keep all of my essential personnel employed.
“This is a way to try to re-energize it and get parents on board. The message is that not only is this a convenience to the families, it’s really a benefit to everyone.”
In response to a question from committee member Rich Sjoberg regarding the type of meals to be served, McCarthy said food will be ready-made from a regular menu.
Following a question from committee member Phil McQueen, McCarthy said students with allergies or other restricted dietary needs will continue to be accommodated. Parents have the option to order by the day or in bulk.
“We will give them whatever they want, all packaged up in bulk or on a daily basis,” McCarthy said, adding that the program will operate out of the high school kitchen and is a “win, win, win for everyone.” He hoped to be 100 percent up and running on Tuesday.
“Parents can be spending less trips to the grocery store,” he said. “They are not going to have to worry so much about preparation because we’re going to have taken care of most of it for them. It will save a little bit of stress in their lives.”
“This is an amazing opportunity that we have for all of our Lynnfield families with children ages 0-18,” said Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel. “If I had school-age children right now, I’d be totally on this and signing up as I despised making lunches for my children. I would be fully on board with this.”
More information about the program can be found on the district website, www.https://www.lynnfield.k12.ma.us/.
