September 2017
Summer food helps kids have summer fun
T
his summer, Ozarks Food Harvest sponsored 15 Summer Food sites in 10 counties. Ozarks Food Harvest loves supporting these sites for many reasons, and one reason is these sites give kids unforgettable summer experiences. Some of the activities the sites offered for children included teaching them how to grow a garden, attending Springfield Cardinals games, hosting theme weeks like Super Hero week, partnering with the local library for fun activities at parks and even field trips to the zoo. Some Summer Food sites went to places like Fritz’s Adventure in Branson, Talking Rocks Caverns, aquatic parks, ice skating rinks and movie theaters. “[The kids] of course love to play, have fun and go on field trips,” said Rick Ragsdale, program director at Cassville YMCA, a Summer Food site. “They enjoy the food we serve and not just what you would think. Yes they love pancake days, but their favorite snack is when we make salads. They have a blast when they get to help prep on items like homemade salsa, slicing apples and even letting them pour the milk.” Ragsdale added that when they gave the children more responsibilities with meal preparation, they were willing to try new foods like fresh guava, hummus and guacamole. Two Summer Food sites switched from serving a meal and a snack last summer to serving two meals every day. Seymour
IN THIS ISSUE
IN SUMMER 2017, 29,757 MEALS AND 5,336 SNACKS WERE SERVED TO CHILDREN AT SUMMER FOOD SITES THROUGH OZARKS FOOD HARVEST.
YMCA changed from serving breakfast and an afternoon snack to serving breakfast and lunch. El Dorado Springs Youth, Inc. switched from serving a morning snack and lunch to serving breakfast and lunch. These switches mean that kids are getting more food. Two other Summer Food sites that took children on field trips were About Our Kids (AOK) and Nathan’s Place. In addition, these sites also made an effort
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to engage kids with classes focused on nutrition education, character education and service learning. “Our youth were most appreciative, and the thank yous and smiles say it all,” said Jerod Morey, AOK executive director. “Some of our youth, this was the first time out of Lamar, or Barton County for them. They were able to experience new foods and activities they would not be able to otherwise.”