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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Escalating fuel and food prices have prompted town officials to consider alternative sources of income to pay for school and summer camp lunch programs. In an interview with Reminder Publications, Dario Nardi, director of food services for West Springfield Public Schools, explained that due to the rising cost of providing well-balanced meals for students, the department will most likely increase the price of school lunch beginning during the 2009-10 academic year. "Everybody has to know the price of food is going up, not to mention the fuel surcharges," he said. Nardi added that he will not consider increasing the price this year because the cost was raised last year. "You can't hit residents two years in a row," he said. Nardi noted that food service programs within West Springfield Public Schools do not end with the academic year in June. Approximately 325 students attend three Parks and Recreation Department summer camps at Tatham Elementary School, West Springfield Middle School and Camp UNICO at Mittineague Park and one school-sponsored program at Coburn Elementary School from June 30 - Aug. 8. Nardi said the cost to purchase food and supplies and to prepare and transport meals totaled approximately $30,000 this summer. He said the cost of a meal at each summer camp is $3 per student, adding that approximately 250 of the 325 students qualify for free meals. Nardi noted that grants such as the $2,000 received last week from Project Bread, the state's leading anti-hunger organization, help to offset costs and ensure that students have the most nutritious meals possible. "With the high costs of food and gas this summer, we are happy to support free summer food programs such as the one at West Springfield Middle School," Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread, said. "If West Springfield children and teens eat free lunches at sites in the town this summer, it would definitely save families the cost of those meals. With three kids, that can run a minimum of $9 a day or $45 a week. Parents can then apply those savings to a nutritious evening meal for the entire family." Nardi explained that summer lunches include two fruits or vegetables, one eight-ounce dairy product or bottled water, protein and bread. "During the summer months this collaboration between Project bread, the West Springfield Public Schools and the West Springfield Parks and Recreation Department ensures that children will be able to eat healthy and nutritious food throughout the summer and return to school ready to learn," Mayor Edward Gibson said. "Without the program, some children in West Springfield may not be able to receive the nutrition they require during the summer which they normally receive through school lunches." For more information about where children can access free meals during the summer months go to www.meals4kids.org or call Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. |