Good nutrition is essential for effective learning every day,all year long. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helpschildren get the nutrition they need to learn, play and growthroughout the summer months when they are out of school.

For the last 20 years or so, the Brookhaven School District hasoffered nutritious food to kids in the Brookhaven area while theyare out for the summer.

“We had a good summer and have worked hard to get the kids tocome get a nutritious meal during the summer,” said Tonya McSweyn,Food Service Director of the Brookhaven School District. “Thesummer program is fast and we operate in June every year.”

The program started on May 29 and ends today.

“We have fed at least 300 almost every day.” said McSweyn.

Each year, the program runs throughout the month of June atMamie L. Martin Elementary and the Mullins Elementary under thedirection of the Brookhaven School District.

The SFSP was created to ensure children in lower-income areascould continue to receive nutritious meals during the long schoolvacations, when they do not have access to school lunch orbreakfast.

The SFSP provides activities and free meals and snacks tochildren and teenagers, 18 years and younger, at approved sites.Sites may include schools, colleges, public agencies, day carecenters, boys and girls clubs, parks and recreation facilities,Bible schools and other private nonprofit organizations.

The schools’ cafeteria staffs run the sites where they receivefood from venders just as they do during the regular school year.The meals served are hot lunches like pizza, chicken, hamburgers,and others, along with fruits and vegetables with a cold milk.

“It’s been a really great lively summer for the kids.” saidAgnes Allen, a day care teacher at Martin.