One Week Left for Groton Schools' Summer Meal Program

Groton Public Schools will receive $1,015 to expand their summer meals program through the Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative, according to the New England Dairy & Food Council.

“There is a real need for these items especially when the kids are out of school for summer,” said Ernie Koschmieder, school nutrition director for Groton Public Schools. “This grant will allow us to further feed and educate students with healthy grilled options including locally sourced seasonal vegetables this summer.”

The summer meals program is operating through August 15, which means there is just over one week left this summer. Summer meals programs provide nutritious, free meals to kids and teens, 18 years of age and younger, throughout the summer, the council stated.

Groton schools’ grill will be traveling from site to site each day, expanding the menu selection for both breakfast and lunch.

Meals are available at the following locations: Catherine Kolnaski School, William Seely School, Claude Chester Elementary School, Westside Middle School, Washington Park, Branford Manor, Sutton Park, Groton Estates, Dolphin Community Center and Nautilus Park Community Center.

For individual site times, contact Mr. Koschmieder at 860-572-2137.

Groton schools will use the funds to purchase equipment to supply five additional meal distribution sites and a commercial grill to enhance their overall nutrition program.

“A healthy breakfast and/or lunch goes a long way in providing young students with the basics they need for learning,” said Diane Miller, dairy farmer from Fairvue Farms in Woodstock. “Summer is a time when we want to continue to provide our kids with the nutrition that they need. The Connecticut dairy community is proud of the fact that the local food service groups recognize the need to provide healthy foods, especially milk and other dairy products, to the young folks of our communities.”

Only 26.4 percent of low income children in Connecticut who receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school year participated in summer meals programs last year, according to the New England Dairy & Food Council.

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has really taken off in Connecticut,” said Amanda Aldred, RD, nutrition specialist for New England Dairy & Food Council. “Wellness champions and students in more than 900 schools have been doing great work during the school year. It’s exciting to see the program expand into the summer months.”

Schools, parents and students can learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 on its website.

Funding for Fuel Up to Play 60 is provided by the dairy farm families of Connecticut through a partnership between the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board and the New England Dairy & Food Council.

The program provides support for a variety of activities and tools, such as food service materials and equipment, nutrition and physical education materials, student and staff incentives, staff development and overall Fuel Up to Play 60 implementation.

Photo Caption: Connecticut Dairy Farmer Diane Miller presents $1,015 in funding to Marian Galbraith, Mayor City of Groton, Ernie Koschmieder, Director of Food Service and Michael Graner, Superintendent from Groton Public Schools for Fuel Up to Play 60.