NORFOLK, Va. — In June, many students across Hampton Roads will leave the classroom for Summer break, but some students may go without a meal.
Feeding America says more than 200,000 children face food insecurity in Virginia. However, Chesapeake Public Schools wants to ensure no child will go hungry by offering free meals through its Summer Food Service Program.
"In some areas of our city, there's a concern about food insecurity where students may not have access to meals during the summer, and our goal is to make those meals available in every area possible," said Larry Wade Sr., the director of School Nutritious Services for Chesapeake Public Schools.
Wade says every meal will include protein items, vegetables and fresh produce from local farmers.
"One of those items we hope to offer is maybe some fresh watermelon throughout the summer. One of the other items that our students truly love is we offer fresh pineapple. We offer fresh cantaloupe and fresh honeydew as a fruit cup source or fruit cup option," said Wade.
Wade believes this program feeds children and teaches them the value of growing your food.
Wade says the division will offer students meals at several locations across the Chesapeake. It plans to use its mobile unit, Cruising Cafe, to drive to students without transportation.
"Parents in some cases are not releasing their students to come and walk up to the building to get those meals, but what we're trying to do is make it as easy and available and accessible as possible to as many students we possibly can," said Wade.
Chesapeake will kick off its Summer Food Service Program on June 24, 2024. Other school divisions will also offer summer meal programs.
Norfolk Public Schools will offer a meal program on June 17, 2024.
Suffolk Public Schools will begin its summer meals program from July 1- August 1, 2024, at Hillpoint Elementary School, King's Fork Middle School, and King's Fork High School.
Newport News Public Schools will offer summer meals to students at more than a dozen locations starting on June 17, 2024.
Portsmouth Public Schools will run its summer meals program through the City's Park and Recreation Department starting June 24.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Beach City School division is taking a different approach to feeding students this summer. They will offer families an EBT card.
Parents are encouraged to contact their child's school division to learn how their child can participate in a Summer Meals Program.