FORTVILLE — Children of all ages will be able to sign up for free meals this summer, thanks to a partnership between the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This is the first year MVCSC has had a summer food program, according to Maria Bond, communications director for the schools. The program is possible thanks to the USDA’s summer food service program. The program will be offered in two sessions, running June 11 to June 29 and then July 9 through July 20. No food will be served on weekends. Both breakfast and lunch will be offered inside Fortville Elementary School.
The program is open to any child 18 years of age or younger, Bond said. She said the school wanted to ensure anyone who is in need can get food, regardless of where they live or what school they go to.
“This is available without borders,” Bond said. “You don’t have to be a Mt. Vernon student, you don’t have to be in the county.”
More and more schools are starting to offer free summer meal programs. Many students are on free or reduced-cost meals during the school year, but then don’t have any options during the summer. Programs like the new one at MVCSC help with those concerns by offering breakfast and lunch.
More importantly, the USDA requires the meal offerings be healthy and nutritious, featuring fruits, proteins and vegetables.
The meals are for children 18 and younger only and can’t be consumed by adults. Part of the program from USDA also stipulated the food had to be eaten in the cafeteria and couldn’t be taken outside the school. The meals will only be available during certain times as well, with breakfast being served from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m.
The creation of the MVCSC program means there will now be two free meal options for kids in Hancock County this summer. The Fortville event joins the offering from Greenfield-Central as possible places for kids to get a free and nutritious meal.
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Where: Fortville Elementary School 8414 N. County Road 200W Fortville IN
When: June 11-29 and July 9-20 (Monday – Friday)
Times: Breakfast – 7:30 – 8:45 am
Lunch – 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
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