Beginning February 7, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all on the menu for many Douglas County students. Twenty-seven schools will serve an evening meal after school hours to students still on campus for the After School Program or other approved academic activities.
Milk, meat (or a meat alternative), grains, fruits, and vegetables will all be served during Douglas County School System’s suppertime. All meals will follow meal guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture. Monday and Friday, students have the option of a grab and go meal, while on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, students can enjoy a hot meal. The free meal is available to all students participating in approved academic after-school activities. Students participating in the After School Program will still receive an afternoon snack in addition to supper.
The award-winning Douglas County School Nutrition Program is among the first in the Atlanta area to pilot this program. Douglas County School nutrition has consistently earned state and national recognition for its efforts to bring fresh, local healthy foods directly to students.
Executive Director of School Nutrition Danielle Freeman says the supper program is a way to keep Douglas County students energized after a day of learning. “The driving force behind the Douglas County School System Nutrition Department is to feed as many children as possible. With that mission in mind, we are always searching for innovative ways to serve and provide food to children. It is an honor to support the education of our students through nutrition.”
The United States Department of Agriculture will provide funding for the supper program through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Bright From the Start. CACFP is a Federal program that provides healthy meals and snacks to qualified schools and child care centers.
Freeman says the After School Supper program is a way to meet the needs of many of the system’s 26,000 children. “With so many students still on campus after school for after-school care, tutoring or extracurricular activities, it is important that we do all we can make sure these students don’t go home hungry.”
For a story on WSB-TV about the new supper program, please click here.