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

Washington, July 21, 2017
WORCESTER, MA – Today, July 21st, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) is kicking off his 4th 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 schools and summer meals sites in Athol, Greenfield, Leominster, and Worcester. Click here for information on the 2016 tour, 2015 tour and 2014 tour.

As part of Congressman McGovern’s fourth annual tour, he will lead roundtable discussions with national, state, and local leaders to talk about how the summer food program helps communities in need and visit summer meals sites across the region. Leaders joining Congressman McGovern’s tour include:

• State Senator Mike Moore (Worcester)
• State Rep. Natalie Higgins (Leominster)
• State Rep. Jim O’Day (Worcester)
• State Rep. Paul Mark (Greenfield)
• City Councilor George Russell (Worcester)
• Martha Assefa, Worcester Food Policy Council
• Kali Coughlin, Worcester County Food Bank
• Andrea Hayes, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Multifamily Northeast Region
• Simca Horwitz, Eastern Mass. Director for Mass Farm to School
• Noreen Kelly and Maura Ackerman, Project Bread
• Rob Leshin, Director of the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs MA ESE
• Ellen Nylen, Food Service Director for Webster Public Schools
• Siobhan O’Riordan and Eddie Ortega, USDA Northeast Regional Office
• Irene Sedlacko, Special Nutrition Programs Coordinator at MA ESE

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 today’s tour is below:

8:50AM – 9:20AM in LEOMINSTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern; State Rep. Natalie Higgins; Martha Assefa, Worcester Food Policy Council; and local school and community leaders
WHAT: Congressman Assists With Breakfast Service to Students
WHERE: Spanish American Center, 24 State Street, Leominster

10:00AM – 11:00AM in ATHOL

WHO: Rep. McGovern; Heather Bialecki-Canning, Executive Director for North Quabbin Community Coalition; Lisa Damon, Western Mass Director for Mass Farm to School; Martha Assefa, Worcester Food Policy Council; and local school and community leaders.
WHAT: Congressman Hosts Roundtable on Improving Summer Meals Access for Rural Communities
WHERE: Athol Community Elementary School, 1064 Pleasant Street, Athol

11:45AM – 12:15PM in GREENFIELD

WHO: Congressman McGovern; State Rep. Paul Mark, and local school and community leaders
WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students
WHERE: Oaks Court, 1 Elm Terrace, Greenfield

2:00PM – 2:30PM in WORCESTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern and local school and community leaders.
WHAT: Congressman Assists With Lunch Service to Students
WHERE: Main South Club, 65 Tainer Street, Worcester

3:00PM – 4:00PM in WORCESTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern and local school and community leaders.
WHAT: Congressman Hosts Roundtable on Helping Summer Meals Programs Reach Teen Students
WHERE: Shine Pool, 184 Providence Street, Worcester

4:10PM – 5:00PM in WORCESTER

WHO: Congressman McGovern and local school and community leaders.
WHAT: Congressman Assists With Meal Service to Students
WHERE: Shine Pool, 184 Providence Street, Worcester

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