18/08/2025
AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT!
This reflection was written by one of our incredible Farm to School Ambassadors, Kaylie Lewis. Ambassadors are local parents, educators, and community members who help share stories about the impact of farm to school programs in their regions.
Kaylie shared this heartfelt reflection on her family's experience with summer school lunch:
"After a summer of lunch trays, chocolate milk, and eating with friends, the summer school lunch season has come to an end. As a mom to three young kids, I want to say how much we have enjoyed going to summer school lunch almost every day this summer. I am grateful to be able to feed my kids lunch for free to save a little on groceries.
I am also happy that my kids get exposed to some different foods that they normally don’t get at home (I really don’t like pears so I never buy them). My son is starting kindergarten this year so it has been awesome for him to practice opening his milk and dumping his tray. It takes one thing off of my list of worries for when he starts school to know that he will be comfortable with the lunch time routine.
I am a mom but I am also a public health professional. For whatever reason, some kids might go hungry during the summer without the consistency of lunch that they get during the school year. Good nutrition is so important for these kids’ growing bodies. I am so glad that I was able to see so many kids getting a well-rounded meal during the summer. I am sure that gave them the energy they needed to do all of the fun summer things that kids are supposed to do.
Let’s also give a shout out to all of the cafeteria workers who provided us with good lunches, clean tables, and smiles this summer. They were so efficient and kept the cafeteria so clean considering all of the messes made in such a short time span.
Thanks to everyone who makes summer school lunch possible. We look forward to doing this again next year."
Thank you, Kaylie, for this beautiful reminder of how much summer meals matter!
