The Moscow School District is gearing up for another summer of providing free meals to children across the community, with plans to expand services this year to include weekend meal options.
The district’s Summer Feeding Program offers breakfast and lunch to any child between the ages of 1 and 18 during the summer months when school cafeterias are closed. The program operates at Lena Whitmore Elementary School and has served Moscow families for more than five years under the direction of Student Nutrition Services Director Kendra Holden.
Addressing Food Insecurity During Summer Break
According to the Idaho Foodbank, more than 75,000 children across the state face food insecurity and depend on school meal programs for daily nutrition during the academic year. When summer arrives, many of these children lose access to the free or reduced-price lunches they receive during the school year.
Last summer, the Moscow program provided more than 9,000 breakfasts and 9,000 lunches to children in the community, averaging approximately 260 meals per day. The meals meet federal nutrition standards and include milk, fruit, vegetables, and main courses designed to appeal to young eaters.
Menu options typically include two choices for lunch: a sandwich option and a hot meal such as pizza or chicken nuggets. Holden said the program focuses on offering foods children will actually eat while maintaining balanced nutrition.
New Weekend Meal Service Launches This Year
In an effort to expand services, the program will introduce a weekend meal component this summer. Families will be able to pick up three breakfasts and three lunches to take home for weekend consumption.
The addition addresses a gap in coverage that has left some families struggling to provide adequate nutrition on weekends when the weekday meal service is unavailable.
Holden noted that many children walk to the meal site from nearby apartment complexes while their parents are at work. The program provides a solution for working families who need to ensure their children have access to lunch during the day.
Community Barbecue to Launch Summer Program
The program will kick off with a community barbecue on Monday, June 8, starting at 11 a.m. at 110 South Blaine Street. The event is open to all community members, not just families who plan to use the meal service.
Holden emphasized that the program serves the entire Moscow community, not just students enrolled in the Moscow School District. Any child in the area who needs a meal is welcome to participate, and higher participation numbers help the program secure additional funding for future years.
The Summer Feeding Program operates with federal funding that is allocated based on participation levels. Greater attendance demonstrates community need and helps justify continued support for the initiative.
What Comes Next
The Moscow Summer Feeding Program will begin regular meal service following the June 8 kickoff event and will continue throughout the summer months. Families interested in learning more about meal times, locations, or the new weekend meal option can contact the Moscow School District Student Nutrition Services office.
The program represents one of several community efforts in Latah County to address childhood hunger and ensure young people have access to adequate nutrition year-round. With the expansion to weekend meals, organizers hope to reach even more families facing food insecurity during the summer break.