With two weeks remaining in summer break, the School District of Manatee County’s Food and Nutrition Services department welcomed families to an annual Kids Wellness and Resource Fair. The event, held at Lincoln Park in Palmetto on Thursday, July 24th, marked a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our students and their families.
The day was filled with joy and sunshine, with bright blue skies and bubble machines filling the air with rainbows. Children's faces lit up with watermelon smiles all around. By noon, nearly 200 meals, which is the daily average at this summer meal spot, had been served with just more than two hours left to go. This year, the district's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) department proudly served 175,000 meals compared to 155,000 last year, showcasing our dedication to meeting the nutritional needs of our students.
Tents belonging to local community resources organizations sat under the canopy of the park's old oak trees. The wellness and resource fair featured free lunch for kids ages 18 and younger, fun prizes, a bicycle giveaway, opportunities for families to apply for free or reduced meals for the upcoming school year, and access to community organizations. Children collected a stamp on their passport after visiting each organization, then deposited their ticket into the raffle drawing of their choice.
Participating community resources included School District of Manatee County Student Services, Whole Child Manatee, Manatee County Rural Health, Manatee County Libraries, Manatee Children’s Services, LECOM Dental School, Centerstone, UF/IFAS Extension, District Student Health, Just for Girls, Manatee County Health Department, HOPE Family Services, Children’s Therapy Solutions, and more.
The mission of the school district’s FNS department is to provide quality nutritious meals so students can learn and succeed. We are excited to continue our efforts to support the well-being of our students and their families in the school year to come. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families, food service workers and staff, along with community organizations for their enthusiastic participation and support.