Vernon Hitting The 50,000 Mark For Free School Meals

VERNON, CT — As parents lined up to get the latest educational delicacies on Friday, Vernon was on pace to serve 50,000 free school meals since the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said the school system has been averaging more than 500 meals on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday distribution days at Vernon Center Middle School.

"It's been a huge success," Macary said. "We're glad to be able to offer it."

The free meal program began in mid-March. Initially the meals consisted of light continental style breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch. A month later, meals were getting seriously more gourmet.

That meant the chef began breaking out the chicken nuggets the meatballs, the cheese pizza and the mozzerella sticks, said Elizabeth Fisher, the director of food and nutrition services for all seven public schools in Vernon.

Fisher has been calling them "school lunch classics" that can be heated at home.

(Chris Dehnel/Patch)

Meals are being served from 9 to 11 a.m. at VCMS every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Macary said local school officials have been in contact with federal officials about the potential for summer meals being available.