Summer Kick-Offs Celebrate Free Summer Meal Programs
Sites and sponsors across the state are welcoming the beginning of their Summer Eats program by inviting local officials, holding kid-friendly activities, and serving up delicious free meals in their communities.
Boston Summer Eats Kick-Off
Boston Summer Eats kicked off their program last week at the Mildred Haley Apartments in Jamaica Plain with partners Project Bread, Mayor’s Office of Food Access, and Greater Boston YMCA. Kids enjoyed lunch along with an afternoon of activities, including Boston Police Department’s ice cream truck, Boston Water & Sewer’s water truck, books from the Boston Public Library, lawn games, nutrition trivia and prizes, and shelf stable meals provided by Heavenly Harvest Foundation. Children and guests heard remarks from Project Bread President Erin McAleer, Boston Chief of Health & Human Services Marty Martinez, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Access Catalina Lopez, Boston Housing Authority’s Greg Davis, and Greater Boston YMCA’s Wendy Zinn.
Waltham Summer Eats Kick-Off
Project Bread, Waltham Boys and Girls Club, and Partners Healthcare celebrated Summer Eats in Waltham with a kick-off event at Drake Playground on Wednesday, June 26th. Kids enjoyed free lunch as well as music, a bouncy house, farm animals, crafts, and an appearance from Mickey Mouse!
Summer Food Rocks Tour
Sites in Massachusetts’ 2nd Congressional District welcomed Congressman Jim McGovern and guests to the 6th Annual Summer Food Rocks Tour on Monday, July 8th. The event kicked off the Summer Eats season by generating excitement for the program and encouraging families to participate throughout the upcoming months. The day began at Silver Leaf Terrace in Leominster where guests and kids ate breakfast together, followed by musical chairs and nutrition trivia (with prizes!). Lunch was served at Ryan Road Elementary in Florence, and activities were provided by Massachusetts Farm to School, Grow Food Northampton, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and more. A roundtable discussion followed lunch, giving participants the opportunity to convene and discuss the state of Summer Eats. The day ended with supper from one of Worcester Public Schools’ mobile meals trucks at University Park.