From Stafford County Schools:
More than 100 students at Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School (KWBES) receive free, hot, dinner meals on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through participation in the federally funded Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services administers CACFP, which brings healthy food to children in schools, child care centers, homes, and afterschool programs.
“Providing nutritious meals and promoting food security for our students is critically important,” said SCPS Superintendent Dr. Scott Kizner.
Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) Director of Nutrition, Brian Williams, knows first-hand the benefit CACFP provides students who may experience food insecurity.
“Students have been at school and at the end of the day, they are hungry. Seeing the smiles on their faces when receiving a hot dinner at the end of the school day touches your heart,” Williams said. “I saw the positive benefit and student reaction and knew it would be great for SCPS to take advantage of this free, federally funded program.”
Williams introduced CACFP to the principal at KWBES, who was eager to explore the idea. Schools apply for the program annually. Once approved, coordination begins with the school administration and staff. School nutrition prepares the hot meals in the school, and students are served in the cafeteria. While school nutrition takes care of the menu and staffing, KWBES administration provides supervision and oversight of the program with regard to monitoring the students and taking attendance.
“CACFP is making a tremendous difference,” said Patricia Breland, a teacher at KWBES who serves as the CACFP administrator. “Teachers truly feel like the children are better focused and ready to learn after eating the meal.”
Although CACFP is currently implemented only at KWBES, Williams notes that it is an open site program where any student in Stafford County can come and share a meal. CACFP Week is celebrated March 15-21, 2020, to raise awareness of how the CACFP works to combat hunger.
