Schools begin breakfast and lunch programs Monday

By Jason Gibbs Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 06/02/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


Click photo to enlargeEsteban Gonzalez, 9, munches on a cookie, part of a free lunch... (Sun-News photo by Norm Dettlaff)«12»To view a schedule of the city's Summer Food Service Program, click here.
LAS CRUCES — Burning through a hot New Mexico summer takes a lot of fuel.

The Las Cruces Public Schools, Gadsden Independent School District, Families and Youth, Inc., and the city of Las Cruces want to make sure kiddos have the energy to make the most of their vacations. Breakfast and lunch programs get under way today and, depending on your location, you can snag a meal through the month of July.

"To us, it's important because kids are out of school and this meal is the only balanced, nutritious meal these kids get all day," said Christina Rey, program director at FYI.

Nancy Cathey, director of food services for the Las Cruces Public Schools, said the district is partnering with the city and FYI to provide nutritious breakfasts and lunches at locations across the city. For Las Crucens under the age of 18, the meals are free to all comers as part of a federal program to provide summer sustenance to the students.

The LCPS is providing roughly 1,600 meals a day and plans to add another 1,000 in coming weeks as programs ramp up.
"The kids that we serve during the school year, especially the low-income families, would not have a nutritious meal," without the programs, Cathey said.

The Gadsden ISD is offering summer lunch and breakfast programs in schools and community centers throughout southern Doña Ana County, said GISD spokesman Arturo Ruiloba. The meals are provided free to those under 18 and $1 breakfast and $2.50 lunches are offered to adults as well.

And it's not just about grabbing a cold sandwich and running off, said Amy Dent, director of aquatic programs for the city of Las Cruces. Most of the recreation centers and all three city pools have activities to satisfy the appetite for entertainment as well as fill the belly.

"We've got a ton of different opportunities here," she said. "It's a great way to cool off."

It's an excellent way for staff to get to know local children as well as educate the public about nutrition at an early age, she said.


Jason Gibbs can be reached at jgibbs@lcsun-news.com

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_9449576