Child Nutrition Programs of the Maine DOE has a new ride and it’s the first in the Northeast.
The Department, through a USDA grant, has purchased a vehicle as a conduit to provide nutrition training in local schools and regions around the state. This vehicle is on the road visiting schools and other events involving school lunch and breakfast through the Summer Food Service Program which is designed to ensure low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. The vehicle’s visual reminder of consuming fruits and vegetables also promotes the importance of healthy eating.
When the car is not being used for trainings or promotions, it’s used to transport staff for required reviews of schools and sites around Maine.
For more information about child nutrition programs visit www.maine.gov/doe/nutrition/ or contact Maine DOE Child Nutrition Specialist Walter Beesley at walter.beesley@maine.gov.
This is great but what is also needed in many districts is a way to bring the summer food program to children who do not have transportation to come to the locations – kind of a meals on wheels for delivering to those students in need – it could be combined with a book loaning program too and provide literacy with nutrition.