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Date: 6/27/2023
CHICOPEE — Now that school is out and summer has begun, children are still able to receive a free lunch, provided through the Chicopee Fresh summer meals program.
From June 27 to Aug. 18 — Monday through Friday — children up to the age of 18 are eligible for the lunch program.
Chicopee Public Schools Food Service Director Melanie Wilk said people do not need to reside in Chicopee to receive a lunch. No registration or identification is required — people can just show up and get a meal, she explained. Wilk noted that children must be present to receive a meal and the meals must be eaten on site.
Each site has different activities that are “fun for all children,” she shared.
The free summer meal sites and times are as follows:
From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., meals can be picked up at Belcher Elementary School, Chicopee High School, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, Stefanik Elementary School and Streiber Elementary School.
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., meals are offered at Fairview Elementary School.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., meals are available at Bellamy Middle School, Bowe Elementary School and Lambert-Lavoie Elementary School.
In addition to the free lunches, Wilk said the “Curbside Cafeteria” will be visiting various parks and the Chicopee Public Library every day.
The Curbside Cafeteria schedule is as follows:
Ray Ash Park — 10:40-11:20 a.m.
Rivers Park — 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sarah Jane Park — 12:10-12:40 p.m.
Szot Park — 12:50-1:20 p.m.
Chicopee Library — 1:30-2 p.m.
Lincoln Grove Park — 2:10-2:40 p.m.
Wilk said last summer was the first one with the food truck and “people loved it.”
“It’s an awesome option,” she added.
Wilk went on to say that it is a “good way” to get meals out to a broader population.
As the library has ongoing summer activities, Wilk said the food truck goes “hand in hand” with that, as children can grab a lunch and play. She shared that the same goes for those visiting the parks.
Although Wilk has been involved with the summer meals program for five years, she said it has been going on much longer and has taken on “different iterations” over the years — especially during COVID-19.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, ChicopeeFRESH offered drive-through meals. In 2022, the schools were opened to offer meals out — making it easier — as transportation was not required.
On average, Wilk said her team serves about 2,000 meals a day during the summer.
The summer meals program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture.
When a meal is served, ChicopeeFRESH is reimbursed by the government. “We get our funding from serving meals,” Wilk said.
“The more meals we serve, the more funding we receive.”
She noted that there is always enough food for everyone, and it will not run out.
Most of the people serving lunches during the summer are the workers employed during the school year. Additionally, Wilk said they have three student workers from the culinary program at Chicopee Comp.
Wilk encourages members of the community to come out this summer and “give it a try.”
ChicopeeFRESH also has a big farm to school program that provides students with locally sourced and nutritious meals, Wilk noted.
To learn more about Chicopee Fresh, visit chicopeefresh.com.