The new Food Services logo for Westfield EATS. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)
WESTFIELD – Free hot and cold grab & go meals prepared by Westfield Food Services will continue through the summer, from June 21 through Aug. 20.
There will be no service on July 5.
Food Services Director Rachel Kenia said drive-through sites will be at the Middle School and Franklin Avenue School Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A new Westfield EATS Food Truck will stop daily at Stanley Park at the playground next to the pavilion daily from 11 to 11:30 a.m., at the Westfield Athenaeum from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; and at the Full Gospel Church at 110 Union St. from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Kania said Food Services will also be offering free meals to the YMCA students at Camp Shepherd and the EdVenture Zone for Parks & Recreation.
Kania said the summer program is funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the US Department of Agriculture. “They’ve extended free meals through June of 2022, so there will be free meals through the summer and all next year. We normally don’t do that big a program in the summer, but we thought, ‘why not,’ “ she said
They were also able to buy a new vehicle through a big Massachusetts infrastructure grant, a new van that will be used during the school year to bring food back and forth between and programs as a food truck for the summer program. Kania said nothing is cooked in the truck, but the meals are packed and will be served hot in reheatable tins and cold in grab & go bags.
“For the Food Truck stops we chose Stanley Park, then the Westfield Athenaeum for a half hour which we thought would be great for kids going to summer reading programs, and the last stop at Full Gospel Church so we could hit that side of the city. Their parishioners hold a lot of summer activities, and Powder Mill Village is right next door,” Kania said.
Food offerings this summer will include favorites such as mini corn dogs, breaded ravioli, mac & cheese, mozzarella bites, French toast sticks, Westfield’s pizza lunchable and peanut butter & jelly uncrustables.
Kania said the meal program is open to the public, and no ID required, Parents and grandparents can also pick up for the kids. Anyone with questions may reach out to the School Food Services Dept. at 413-572-6493.
