Public feasts on summer meals

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June 15, 2010 - 12:00 AM

Colleen Riebel is anticipating a larger than usual crowd at Wednesday’s summer lunch program. Chicken and noodles are on the menu and are always a crowd favorite.
“We will also be busy next week with meatloaf and lasagna on the meal schedule,” said Riebel, USD 257 food service director.
The summer breakfast and lunch program at the high school cafeteria began June 1 and continues each weekday, except for July 5 and 6, until July 30.
Breakfast and lunch, free to anyone 18 or younger, is federally subsidized and has been a fixture in the local school district for years. Adults also may eat — some come without children — and are charged $2 for breakfast and $3 for lunch.
All lunches are served in the cafeteria, directly east of the high school, from 11:30 to 1 o’clock. Breakfast is served there from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast also is served from 8 to 9 a.m. through June 23 at Lincoln Elementary School during SAFE BASE activities.
In July, breakfast will also be served at Jefferson Elementary School during the three-week summer school session.
“Our attendance numbers have been up with SAFE BASE children and high school summer school students attending breakfast and lunch,” Riebel said.
Last week more than 1,000 lunches and 600 breakfasts were served.
All main courses are made by cooks at the cafeteria, including fresh baked bread and rolls.
In addition to Riebel, five full-time and two part-time cooks are employed during the program’s two-month run.

LISA CLOUD said she and her sons have taken advantage of the summer lunch program for several years. Cloud — who is a teacher at Marmaton Valley Elementary School — is on summer hiatus.
Cloud and her youngest son, Kyler, 4, arrived at the cafeteria at about 11:30 on Monday morning.
“If we don’t get here a little early there is nowhere to sit,” Cloud said.
Cloud said her other sons, Blake, 10, Hunter, 8, and Tristen, 6, who attend SAFE BASE activities, would be joining her and Kyler for lunch.
“I think the food is great, well balanced and where else can you get such good food for $3,” she asked.

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