The free summer meal program in Lincoln County continues to be a success, according to  Patricia Buck-Welton, program coordinator for Healthy Lincoln County. The program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program to provide free meals for children during the summer months.

Many families struggle to put food on the table when school is out and free or reduced-price meals are not provided by the school, said Buck-Welton. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition during the summer are less likely to perform well once school starts up again and are more prone to illness and other health issues, according to Lincoln Health. Since 2012, Healthy Lincoln County has worked to serve over 30,000 meals from seven to now 11 locations reaching over 500 children each summer. Each site is open to the public, and any child 18 and under can receive a free healthy breakfast and/or lunch.

This year, the Boothbay Region YMCA became a host site and has served 101 lunches from June 20-July 15. In addition, 1,200 lunches have been served at the YMCA-run Camp Knickerbocker on Knickerbocker Lake.

The need for subsidized or free meals in the region was underscored after the Maine Department of Education identified the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District as “economically disadvantaged.” The designation results from the enrollment having a high number of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. 

To remove the stigma free meals can bring, the program does not require paperwork from parents and allows any child to participate.

“We try and keep this anonymous as much as possible,” said Buck-Welton. 

By adding the YMCA as a program location, it’s an especially convenient stop for local children who are already familiar with the facility.

“It’s another way for us to serve the community,” said Lisa Van Dyk, Y development director. “We have the space.”

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, the USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites. 

According to the USDA,  there are three main players involved: State agencies, sponsors, and sites. State agencies administer the program and communicate with USDA. Sponsors enter into agreements with state agencies to run the program and schools, local government agencies, camps, faith-based and other non-profit community organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors. Sponsors get reimbursed and may manage multiple sites. At the sites, children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, apartment complexes, churches, and migrant centers. Sites work directly with sponsors. 

The food is prepared at multiple locations in Lincoln County including the cafeteria of Boothbay Region Elementary School and the Wiscasset Community Center, a great spot but one with logistical challenges in the notorious summer traffic in Wiscasset, said Buck-Whelton.

“Our big question is how do we get the lunches across the bridge,” she said.

Now in its third year, the program has succeeded in making sure a great summer doesn’t come at a great cost for nutrition.

“We know it helps and that’s all that matters,” said Buck-Whelton.