Meet up & Eat up program offers free food at Tomek-Eastern elementary

Sydney Bommersbach, Online Editor

Many popular food items from Fenton’s elementary schools such as pizza, chicken tenders and tacos are making a comeback during the summer for the Meet Up & Eat Up program. Monday through Thursday, this event offers free breakfast and lunch to kids under the age of 18.

“This will be our first year operating the Meet Up & Eat Up program at Tomek-Eastern Elementary,” Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Coordinator Anna Goss said. “We have sponsored and held the program since 2012 at our Ellen Street Campus. Due to census data however, Ellen St. no longer qualifies.”

Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, this event was originally started by the previous food service director, Jaymi Whalen, in Fenton in 2012. Last year in one day, approximately 40 kids came in for breakfast and approximately 115 for lunch.

“In 2016 and 2017, we won Silver ‘Turnip the Beet’ Awards for high-quality summer meals,” Goss said. “The award began in 2016, and that year we were one of four in Michigan with 49 programs recognized nationally. In 2017, we were one of 11 in Michigan with 111 programs recognized nationally.”

For award winning meals, parents can bring their kids to Tomek Eastern Elementary (600 4th St, Fenton, MI 48430), from now until Aug 9**.

**closed the week of July 2- 5, and Aug 2.