Free Summer Meal Program for Children Across the Plateau

The University of the South is sponsoring a food program for children this summer, an effort administered in Tennessee by the Department of Human Services under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program is called the South Cumberland Summer Meal Program. It will provide free meals for young people who qualify for free/reduced-price meals during the school year who may go hungry during the summer. The program’s goal is to improve the health and well-being of young people across the Plateau while providing good food and summer fun at the same time.

According to data from the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, 48 percent of young people in Franklin County qualify for the free/reduced-price lunch program; in Grundy County, 68 percent of young people qualify. Statewide, 44 percent of students qualify for the program. This idea was first envisioned by Rick Wright, executive chef at the Sewanee dining program. He is a longtime advocate for healthy eating. Kelly Farina, an AmeriCorps VISTA member with the University, is the program organizer.

In addition to the meals, at each site there will be a program that will last a minimum of one hour. Some summer meals are being served in partnership with library reading programs, vacation bible schools and other summer programs, and may include such information as nutrition education, gardening activities and art workshops.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program, and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. 

Meals will be provided on the following dates and times at these area sites:

Franklin County

Community Action Committee, Otey Parish, Sewanee: June 1–30; Monday and Wednesday; noon–1 p.m.

Crow Creek Valley Community Center, Sherwood: July 1–31; Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

St. James Episcopal Church, Sewanee: June 2– 30; Tuesday and Thursday; noon–1 p.m.

Sewanee Elementary School ESP: June 1–Aug. 14; Monday through Friday; 9:30 a.m. and noon.

Huntland Community Center: June 4–Aug. 13; Thursday; noon–1 p.m.

Rain Teen Center, Winchester: June 3–Aug. 12; Wednesday; 6–9 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Winchester: June 3–July 30 ; Wednesday and Friday, noon–1 p.m. 

Grundy County

Altamont Community Center: June 1–30; Monday–Friday; noon–1 p.m.

Beersheba Public Library: June 3–24; Wednesday; noon – 1 p.m.

Beersheba Springs Medical Center: June 1–30; Monday; 9 a.m.

Cumberland Baptist Church, Beersheba Springs: July 27–31; Monday–Friday; 6–8 p.m.

Dubose Conference Center, Monteagle: June 1–June 29; Monday, Wednesday, Friday; noon–1 p.m.

First Methodist Church, Tracy City: June 1–5; Monday–Friday; 5–7 p.m.

May Justus Library, Monteagle: June 2–30; Tuesday and Thursday; 10–11 a.m.

Palmer Library: June 18– July 30; Thursday; noon–1 p.m.

Swiss Memorial Elementary Garden Club: June 18– July 30; Monday–Friday; 8 a.m.–noon.

Tracy City Library: July 1–31; Wednesday and Friday; 11 a.m.–noon.