Stoughton Children Enjoy Free Summer Lunches

On a sizzling summer day this Thursday, kids at the West Elementary School got to cool off with a traditional childhood treat – freeze pops.

But before they tore into their desserts, they got a wealth of nutritious food, including turkey sandwiches, bagels, chilled fruit, and carrot sticks – all for free.   

The delicious fare was one of many lunches being served this summer to Stoughton children in July and August. It is part of the state’s summer feeding program, which provides lunches to children in needy school districts.  

West School Principal Brendan Dearborn said his school now qualifies for the expanded food service program because over half of the school population now meets federal income guidelines for reduced or free lunches during the school year.

“All across the state families are struggling.  Now, we’re able to give kids a well balanced lunch and ensure that all students in Stoughton are given the opportunity to have one meal a day,” he said.

Dearborn said most of the children who are eating the lunches are enrolled in the school’s summer enrichment programs, taking place at the , , and .  But any school-aged child in Stoughton, up to 18, is eligible to participate.

He added that he’s not concerned about children flooding the cafeteria looking for free lunches, however. 

So far, only about a dozen children who are not enrolled in the school’s enrichment programs have come in daily, and he’d actually like more Stoughton children to take advantage of the service. 

Also, many towns such as Randolph, Avon and Brockton have their own programs, and he hasn’t seen one out-of-town child come for lunch so far.

“Why would they travel to Stoughton, when they have their own programs?” he said. 

Food Services Director Edward Gilbert also said that he thinks the program serves a real need in Stoughton, and that some children in town are going hungry during the summer because they are not in school.  He said the program meets strict USDA feeding guidelines for nutrition.

Though he’s gotten calls from town residents who are concerned about the program’s cost, he said the school district will get reimbursements from the USDA and the state’s Department of Education, once the program is over. 

“The object is to make sure the program does not lose money, and that is done through careful menu planning.  Also the more kids we feed, the more we’ll get back,” he said.

Right now, about 130 to 140 children are participating each day (from Monday through Thursday), and lunches will be served until August 11, when the enrichment programs end. 

Gilbert said he is keeping the menu similar to what the kids have during the school year, but many of the offerings are lighter and cooler. 

If the children don’t want a full meal, there’s always something nutritious to munch on, he added.  Besides the daily entrees, the lunch fare offers bagels, cold cereal and milk, yogurt, fruit, and vegetables.

“It’s going very well.  I’ve seen a lot of smiles on their faces,” Gilbert said.

Lunch is served in the West School Cafeteria Monday through Thursday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. until August 11. The program is open to Stoughton students up to the age of 18. All food must be consumed on the premises; no food is allowed to be taken home or off the property.