ASD campuses to offer breakfast, lunch for children throughout summer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Anchorage School District leaders are reminding families who depend on free or low cost meals during the school year now experiencing uncertainty and fear as summer vacation starts there are still services available to help them.

“Student Nutrition fuels student success throughout the school year,” said Marci McGill, ASD’s Senior Director of Student Nutrition. “And we have that opportunity to do that in the summer.”

McGill is referring to the district’s summer food service program. It’s a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, known nationally as SUN Meals (Summer Food Service Program).

The program offers free meals to kids 18 and under, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. Children do not need to be students in the district to receive the meals.

“Students can enjoy a breakfast and lunch that would include whole grains, lean proteins, low fat, dairy fruits and vegetables,” McGill said, highlighting the nutritional value of the free meals.

“It is an opportunity to keep students strong and secure and to improve access to healthy, nourishing and and delicious food.”

Last summer, the district served roughly 50,000 meals. Beyond nutrition and health, the breakfast and lunch program offers children an opportunity to socialize and congregate with other kids and families. It’s not a grab and go operation.

There are 11 locations around town where these meals can be picked up (see schedule below), with the service beginning on June 3. Schools qualify based on area of eligibility, but again, all are welcome at any location.

“Food is an important part of a person feeling safe and secure,” McGill said. “And we, as the largest restaurant in the state of Alaska have a responsibility to provide that for our community, especially our students.”

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