![A smiling sun wearing sunglasses is in the background, while the foreground displays text announcing "SUMMER MEALS TO-GO" with details about dates and times.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782488194/oubocesorg/pjzyahpgkupbsns1zdh6/SummerMeals.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1782488194/oubocesorg/pjzyahpgkupbsns1zdh6/SummerMeals.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1782488194/oubocesorg/pjzyahpgkupbsns1zdh6/SummerMeals.png","width":600}])
Orange-Ulster BOCES is helping families keep children nourished throughout the summer by offering free weekly meal pick-up.
The program is open to all children and teens ages 18 and under, regardless of where they attend school. Children do not need to be OUB students to participate.
“Summer should be a time for children to enjoy their break, and families shouldn't have to worry about where the next meal is coming from,” said Katherine Lynch, MPH, RD, CDN, School Food Service Director for OUB. “Our goal is to provide wholesome, kid-friendly meals that are easy to enjoy at home while helping families stretch their grocery budgets during the summer months.”
Each weekly meal kit includes five breakfasts and five lunches featuring a variety of nutritious foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereal, eggs, cheese and milk. The menus are planned to stay fresh throughout the week and are simple for children and teens to prepare, even if they don’t have access to a full kitchen.
A sample breakfast might include whole grain cereal, fresh strawberries, and reduced-fat milk. A lunch might feature an English muffin pizza with an apple, grape tomatoes, and chocolate milk. Menus may occasionally change based on seasonal availability and product supply.
Meal kits will be available 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays at 53 Gibson Road in Goshen (OUB’s Amy Bull Crist Campus) July 8 through Aug. 12. Signs will direct families to the pick up location. Parents, guardians, or another designated adult can pick up the meal kits on behalf of eligible children.
To help the OUB Food Services team prepare enough fresh meal kits for every child, families are asked to complete a short registration form by the Friday before each desired Wednesday pick-up.
In addition to free summer meals, families may also qualify for Summer EBT (SUN Bucks), which provides funds to purchase groceries during the summer.
Meals are available at no cost through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. For more information, contact OUB Food Services at foodservices@ouboces.org or 845-291-0100, ext. 10642.