WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Thousands of Vt. Kids Don't Get Healthy Summer Meals

Thousands of Vt. Kids Don't Get Healthy Summer Meals

Burlington, Vermont - July 9, 2009

It's lunch time in Burlington.

"CHIPS!" exclaimed one little girl.

And along with that treat, this meal is packed with nutrition.

"We always have vegetables choice, a fruit choice, milk is always a part of the lunch, and then we get a sandwich," said Dan Cahill, of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Dept.

This summer program is federally funded to give low-income children a healthy meal during the summer months.

"The nutrition is alone a very important staple of the kids summer experience so they can continue to have positive growth during the summer time, get the nutrition they need," Cahill said.

Right now only about 20 percent of students who receive free and reduced meals at school are receiving summer nutrition and studies show it's the students who aren't getting a healthy summer meal that fall at least two grade levels behind their peers.

"We're really concerned because we know, we don't know if they're getting proper nutrition, if they're getting enrichment activities like they might at a summer program," said Marissa Parisi, of Vt. Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. 

Child nutrition programs are up for reauthorization in Congress -- and folks with the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger are pushing lawmakers to expand the program.

"What would really help Vermont is to change the eligibility for children who can participate in summer programs right now it's at 50 percent kids in one area have to fall below a certain income level to participate in the program," Parisi said.

Advocates say lowering the requirement to 40 percent would benefit over 13,000 children in 60 school districts across the state.

"It would mean more money coming into the state for us to support those programs," said Parisi.

Programs such as this one in Burlington-- that not only serve up a good meal, but also dozens of smiles.

"It's all about providing a great time," Cahill said.

Beth Parent - WCAX News