Second Harvest Food Bank's Youth Meals

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Abstract of the Program In 2016, Orange County Parks and Recreation Division partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to include a healthy meal and snack for every child in Parks’ afterschool and summer camp program sites; during the school year, there are approximately 660 youth per day in the afterschool program, and during Camp Scooter, 920 youth per day. Orange County Parks and Recreation nominates Second Harvest Food Bank for their support in providing healthy food options during recreation and out-of-school time. In 2016, more than 95,000 meals and snacks were served to our youth. Problem or Need for the Program In Orange County, with a growing population of 1,288,126, census statistics show 15 percent of the population lives in poverty. In Orange County Parks and Recreation’s afterschool and summer camp programs, many families apply under reduced lunch, free lunch, or food stamps. Description of the Program Second Harvest agreed to sponsor the program by covering up-front costs for food. A typical meal includes milk, a turkey and swiss wrap (in a whole grain tortilla with a half cup of craisins) and a banana; an example of a snack could be a bag of pretzels or healthy chips. To comply with the program, each site was required to meet State Health Department requirements for the following: (1) working refrigerator; (2) working sink; (3) working bathroom; (4) mop sink; (5) sketch of each facility; (6) provide the maximum capacity for the feeding area; (7) water bill with location addresses; (8) IRS letter of 501c3 tax exemption (Second Harvest); and (9) a food permit. A pilot program was initiated at seven afterschool sites, averaging 420 children daily, from February to June 2016. The full program began with Summer Camp Scooter at 11 sites, totaling 920 campers per day. The Second Harvest Mobile Kids Café (multiple food trucks) delivered meals daily, from June 13 to August 5, 2016. When the 2016 – 2017 school year began, the Afterschool Meal Program (AMP) was established at 11 sites (Barnett Park, Bear Creek Recreation Complex, Bithlo Park, Capehart Park, Goldenrod Recreation Center, Lockhart Baptist Church, Meadow Woods Recreation Center, Orlo Vista Park, Silver Star Recreation Center, South Econ Recreation Center, and Willow Street), providing meals and snacks for 660 children daily, from August – December 2016. This program continues through the spring of 2017. Second Harvest Food Bank manages the Mobile Kids Café and the Afterschool Program (AMP); these programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered in Florida by the Department of Health, Bureau of Child Care Food Programs (stemming from the National School Lunch Program). AMP provides reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks served at eligible afterschool program sites. Along with providing meals, Second Harvest also loans heater cabinets for hot meals to all participating sites. Use of Technology Orange County Parks and Recreation Division uses www.OrangeCountyParks.net and www.OrlandoMagicOCFLgyms.net to list and promote programs. Cost of the Program By the end of 2016, Second Harvest was reimbursed $218,482 for 95,821 snacks and meals, totaling 110,524 pounds of food. According to Second Harvest, the program operates at a loss – sometimes modest, sometimes significant – but they are able to cover losses with general operating funds. Without their support, Orange County Parks would not have been able to provide meals because the upfront cost of buying food for the program was prohibitive. Results/Success of the Program By providing a healthy meal and snack for afterschool youth, Second Harvest eliminates a burden from parents, who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost or did not need to plan for or pack extra food for their child. More importantly, children learn the importance of healthy eating and a balanced diet, along with exercise; in both afterschool and summer camp, children get 30 – 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Worthiness of Award Second Harvest is deserving of this award because this program will forever change the dietary habits and lifestyles of the thousands of youth in Parks’ afterschool, holiday camps and summer Camp Scooter. Orange County Parks and Recreation Division’s management believes this program helps put children on a path to a healthy lifestyle and a lifetime of making good food choices.