JPS Food Service Serves Almost 50,000 Meals to Children During Summer
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Jamestown Public Schools served almost 50,000 meals to local children between July 6 and Aug. 14 through its summer meal program.
Under the leadership of Food Service Director Scott Johnson, the JPS Food Service Department provided more than 24,000 breakfasts and 25,000 lunches to children across the district. More than 36,000 of those meals were delivered directly to families through the district's new summer home-delivery program. The addition of home delivery was made possible by a $15,000 grant from the No King Hungry Foundation, for which Johnson successfully applied.
On-site meal service was also offered at Fletcher, Love and Ring elementary schools and Washington and Jefferson middle schools, coinciding with the district's elementary LEAP and JUMP enrichment programs and JPS special education students. Weekend breakfasts and lunches helped ensure children continued to have access to nutritious food even when regular summer programming was not in session.
For Johnson and his team, the new delivery model provided more than an opportunity to expand access to the district's summer meal program. It allowed Food Service employees to connect personally with families and see the impact of their work throughout the community.
"Delivering meals directly into our neighborhoods gave our team an opportunity to connect with families in a new and meaningful way," Johnson said. "We received such positive feedback throughout the summer, and our employees took tremendous pride in knowing they were helping children stay healthy, nourished and ready to learn."
The district also incorporated fresh, locally grown produce into the program, distributing 22 bushels of zucchini, 39 bushels of cucumbers, 14 bushels of corn on the cob and 23 bushels of summer squash to families.
To make the experience both nutritious and engaging, the Food Service Department developed a family recipe activity encouraging children to prepare zucchini alongside a parent or guardian. The activity gave families an opportunity to try a new recipe, learn about fresh produce and spend time cooking together.
"We wanted the program to be about more than simply providing a meal," Johnson said. "Incorporating locally grown produce gave us an opportunity to introduce children to fresh foods while creating an activity families could enjoy together. It was exciting to see the program become something that encouraged connection, learning and healthy choices."
Johnson said the experience reinforced for Food Service employees the important role they play in the lives of JPS students and families throughout the year.
"This became much more than a summer assignment for our team," Johnson said. "Our employees embraced the opportunity to serve families, build relationships and represent the district in neighborhoods across Jamestown. I am incredibly proud of the compassion, dedication and positive energy they brought to the program each day."
JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker praised the team for extending its work beyond school cafeterias and into the community.
"Our Food Service employees did more than prepare and deliver meals this summer," Whitaker said. "They built relationships, listened to families and made sure children throughout Jamestown had continued access to nutritious food. We are incredibly proud of their work and grateful for the care and compassion they brought to this important effort."