GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Alachua County Public Schools handed out free meals at 93 locations across Alachua County over the summer for all children 18 and under.  The school district also offers what they call a ‘supper program,’ an expansion of its Afterschool Meals Program which typically provides nutritious snacks and/or suppers to children in afterschool programs.

These meals are free to schools designated as federal Community Eligibility Provision sites which includes some charter schools. It allows high-poverty schools and school districts in areas of low income to serve meals at no cost. Schools are reimbursed based on the percentage of students who are categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

The Alachua County School Board and Nutrition Department has announced that the supper program has been expanded to include Metcalfe Elementary School on NE 18 Avenue in Gainesville.  The expansion kicks in on September 5.

According to Jamie Lovett, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, “The Alachua County Food and Nutrition department is excited to offer meals to students who stay after school at Metcalfe and 36 additional sites.”  She adds that the Alachua County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department proudly serves students in their branded program they call ‘Your Choice Fresh.’

You can find a complete list of those sites at the program’s website under the heading ‘Our Supper Program Now Has 37 Locations.’