Officials Hailing Extended Free School Meals In Vernon As A 'Success'

VERNON, CT — A member of Congress, a school system superintendent, a food services director and a principal had essentially the same two-word description Thursday about the impact of the extended free lunch program on Vernon Center Middle School.

Huge ... Success ...

Vernon already has, by federal standards, three schools that qualify for free and reduced meals throughout the school year. During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, all schools were added to the program, but it went back to three locally when the "emergency" program expired.

But on March 1, the free meals were back. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney said the funding source is the federal American Rescue Plan. In February, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to use $60 million in ARPA funding to provide free school meals to students statewide through the remainder of the 2022-23 academic school year. The program went into effect on March 1 and students in Vernon are now receiving one breakfast and one lunch at no cost to parents through June 30.

Courtney said it is exactly what ARPA funding is all about. Seeing a full and happy VCMS cafeteria Thursday, both Courtney said Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary repeatedly used the term "huge success."

VCMS Principal David Caruso and Vernon Food and Nutrition Director Elizabeth Fisher said that, before the free lunch program was reinstated, about 450 meals were served each day. That number is now up to 530 on average each day, they said.

A total of 170 get breakfast daily, they said.

Caruso said there was a dire need for the free meals. He said he would continuously run into students "with no food in front of them" at lunchtime and at breakfast.

"I would just tell them to go get something and I'd absorb the cost," Caruso said. "The kids have to eat."

Fisher said the schools try to provide a variety. For example, a daily is a chicken patty sandwich, both mild and spicy. Other options include a muffin and yogurt, assorted sandwiches and salads. The manager's choice Thursday was pizza.

Editor's Note: The spicy chicken patty was tasty. Fisher said the chicken sandwiches are the most popular menu offering.