TODAY: McGovern Kicks Off Summer Meals Tour For Low-Income Students in Central and Western Massachusetts

Worcester, MA, July 15, 2016

Today, July 18th, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) will kick off his third annual Summer Food Rocks Tour to highlight USDA's national Summer Food Service Program and how it helps ensure that low-income students in Massachusetts do not go hungry during the summer months when school is out of session. Today's tour includes visits to Athol, Turner Falls, Ware, Webster, and Worcester. Click here for information on the 2015 tour and 2014 tour.

As part of Congressman McGovern’s third annual tour, he will lead today's roundtable with state and local leaders to talk about how the summer food program helps communities in need and visit summer meals sites at schools across the region. Joining Congressman McGovern on the day-long tour will be:

  • Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
  • Kurt Messner, USDA Northeast Regional Administrator Food and Nutrition Service
  • Candice Stoiber, USDA Northeast Region Director Special Nutrition Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service
  • Rob Leshin, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed. Acting Director of the Office for Nutrition Programs

The USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites. Full info on Monday’s tour is below:

7:45AM – 8:10AM in ATHOL

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Julianna Valcour (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed); and Orange School Committee Leaders

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Breakfast Service to Students

WHERE: Athol High School, 2363 Main Street, Athol

8:40AM – 9:15AM in TURNERS FALLS

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Julianna Valcour (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed); and Gill and Montague Regional School Leaders

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Breakfast Service to Students

WHERE: Unity Park, 7 First Street, Turners Falls

10:10AM – 11:15AM in WARE

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Ellen Parker (Project Bread Executive Director); Julie Wayman (Project Bread Child Nutrition Outreach Director); Christina Maxwell (Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Programs Director); Abby Getman (Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Planning and Advocacy Coordinator); Simca Hoorwitz (Eastern Massachusetts Director of the Massachusetts Farm to School); Ware Town Administrator Stuart Beckley; MA State Senator Anne Gobi

WHAT: Summer Food Rocks Tour Roundtable Discussion
WHERE: Ware Junior and Senior High School, 237 West Street, Ware

11:15AM – 11:45AM in WARE

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Amy Socolow (Summer Food Service Consultant – MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed.); MA State Senator Anne Gobi, Ware Town Administrator Stuart Beckley; and Ware School Committee Leaders;

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students

WHERE: Kaziol Elementary School, 4 Gould Road, Ware

12:35PM – 1:00PM in WEBSTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern, Amy Socolow (Summer Food Service Consultant – MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed.); MA State Rep. Joseph McKenna; and Webster School Committee

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students

WHERE: Park Avenue Elementary School, 58 Park Avenue, Webster

2:30PM – 2:45PM in WORCESTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Donna Lombardi (Worcester Public Schools Director of Nutrition); Jean McMurray (Worcester County Food Bank Executive Director); Liz Sheehan Castro (Worcester County Food Bank Director of Advocacy); Martha Assefa (Worcester Food and Active Living Policy Council); and Frances Canning (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed. Review Coordinator for Special Nutrition Programs)

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students
WHERE: Burncoat Preparatory School Playground, 526 Burncoat Street, Worcester

3:25PM – 4:00PM in WORCESTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern; Frances Canning (MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed. Review Coordinator for Special Nutrition Programs); Jean McMurray (Worcester County Food Bank Executive Director); Liz Sheehan Castro (Worcester County Food Bank Advocacy Director); and Martha Assefa (Worcester Food and Active Living Policy Council)

WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students

WHERE: Girls Inc., 125 Providence Street, Worcester

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