NEWPORT — Green Mountain Farm-to-School’s (GMFTS) Lunchbox program is set to return for its 12th year, offering free meals and enrichment activities to Northeast Kingdom residents throughout the summer.
The Lunchbox, a participant in the USDA-funded Summer Food Service Program for Children, aims to provide 3,000-4,000 free meals to children 18 and under. Adults can also purchase meals for $8 (cash and check only). The Abbey Group prepares and serves these nutritious meals, which feature local ingredients.
In addition to meals, the program offers “Outside the Truck” enrichment activities, engaging children in arts and crafts, science, reading, and music. The Lunchbox also features a Market Basket table providing free produce sourced from school gardens and local farms, along with recipes for preparing meals using in-season ingredients.
Hilary Rosa, GMFTS Food Access & Logistics Coordinator, highlights the program’s multi-faceted benefits: “For those families that are struggling to put food on the table, The Lunchbox provides much-needed relief and allows them to stretch their budget a little further. For those just looking for something to do, The Lunchbox facilitates a number of free activities that are fun and educational.”
The Lunchbox will operate from June 25 to August 15, serving three locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesdays: Leach Public Library in Irasburg
- Wednesdays: Barton Public Library
- Thursdays: Gardner Memorial Park in Newport
Since its inception in 2012, The Lunchbox has become a thriving space for food access, local food, and community building in the Northeast Kingdom.
