Holyoke students who typically bring a lunch from home but would still like some additional foods at lunch time can now choose an optional “Grab-n-Moo” meal bag in their school cafeterias.
These new pre-packed lunch bags include milk, fresh fruit, and a grain option that students can easily select from the serving line in their school cafeterias, explained Sodexo District Manager Ashley Plante. Students can also add fresh vegetables to their meal if they wish.
“They are perfect for kids who might want to supplement what they bring from home, and also for students who might prefer something different than what is provided on the regular lunch lines in our schools,” she said. “Either way, these Grab-n-Moo meal bags are available to all students at lunch time, at no cost to them or their families. There’s no need to plan ahead or reserve a milk bag, either. Students can decide in the moment if they would like to pick one up. Although they are a bit smaller than a traditional school lunch, they are still nutritionally complete.”
All HPS students are eligible to receive free breakfasts and lunches at school through the Community Eligibility Provision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program. HPS also participates in the grant-funded USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which allows the district to offer students in grades K-5 a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, fresh strawberries, pineapple, celery sticks, and baby carrots. During the summer months, HPS also provides free meals for all children up to 18 years of age, through its participation in the Summer Food Service Program.