New program helps feed children in the summer

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From left, state Sen. Julian Cyr, Noli Taylor, and the Rev. Ken Campbell. Senator Cyr offered his help in the fight against food insecurity on Martha's Vineyard during a meeting in January hosted by Project Bread. —File photo by Cameron Machell

There will be free lunches for children aged up to 18 from July 11 to August 11 at the Oak Bluffs Public Library on School Street, according to a press release from Island Grown Initiative. As part of the Summer Food Service Program, healthy meals will be offered Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 to 1 pm to all children, and no enrollment is necessary.

Food insecurity among children in low-income households increases in the summer because daily school meals are not served. For many children, the annual end of school is linked to summer learning loss, the development of unhealthy eating habits, fatigue, and weight gain.

More than 680 students — about 30 percent of all Vineyard students — are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, according to 2015 data from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Of those who qualify, 475 students participated. These students are the most vulnerable to food insecurity in the summer months.

The summer program is a child nutrition program that reimburses providers who serve free meals during the summer to children under the age of 18. The United States Department of Agriculture funds the effort, which is administered by state education officials.

For more information, email Noli Taylor at noli@IGIMV.org.