They have generated over $400,000 in sales for Alabama farmers since their launch in 2014 and believe their hyperlocal model should be used statewide. This fall, the Farm Food Collaborative is working with four nearby school districts - Madison County, Madison City, Cullman City and Lawrence County - to supply students with fruits and vegetables grown locally. Parents drive up as staff fill paper bags with gallons of milk and apple juice, romaine lettuce, peas, tomatoes, Cheez-Its, oatmeal and frozen burritos and place them inside open car trunks. Districts can also elect to operate sites to provide food to any child under the age of 18, even if they’re not enrolled in their schools, which Elmore County does.ĭavis and two CNP staff members set up a tent outside of Wetumpka Middle School every Wednesday for food pickup. Schools serve meals for both in-person and remote students. And with so many challenges from the pandemic that families and households are facing, they are an important lifeline for families to really make sure there is some stability and access to nutrition for kids.”

“They play a really important role in building equity and supporting learning across the board. “School meals are critical for students,” said Eleni Towns, associate director of No Kid Hungry. Of the 716,084 students in Alabama public schools last year, 49% enrolled in free- and reduced-price lunch programs, according to department of education data. According to the No Kid Hungry campaign, one in five Alabama children are hungry, and experts and federal officials believe food insecurity has increased during the pandemic.

Recalls cheez it crackers