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OPS asks more kids to use summer meal options

In the Classroom
Posted at 3:24 PM, Jun 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-30 15:29:00-04

A new report by the Food Research and Action Center shows Nebraska ranks 50 out of 51 (including D.C.) when it comes to the number of children who receive summer meals. 

Omaha Public Schools hopes to get the word out about the Summer Food Service Program.  

Any child ages 1-18 is allowed to take part in the program which offers breakfast and lunch. The U.S. Department of Ag funds the program. Locally, adults are also able to take part thank to funds from the Food Bank for the Heartland. 

"A parent or an adult who walks in with children from the community can have a meal because sometimes depending how far the children are walking, the families may not want the children to walk by themselves," said Tammy Yarmon, nutrition services director for OPS.

Yarmon says schools also make it a point to offer activities for children. 

Click here for a list of locations that offer summer meals. You can also text "Eat up" to 877-877" to find a location near you. 

The Food Research and Action Center says less than 10% of Nebraska children who get free and reduced lunch during the year, come in for a summer meal. You can read that report here

Yarmon says her goal is to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer and offer meals to as many children who need them.