Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) has been recognized as among the best school systems in the nation for its efforts to serve nutritious and appealing meals to children through the summer months when school is not in session.
The school system is one of three in the state to earn the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Turnip the Beet Award. School systems in Carroll and Caroline counties also earned silver awards through the program, which was created to showcase agencies that are going above and beyond to ensure that children and teens are receiving high-quality meals that are both nutritious and appetizing.
AACPS served nearly 123,000 meals at 48 locations last summer. In addition, the school system sponsored the Brooklyn Park Farmer’s Market for the second consecutive summer to provide families in the community with fresh fruits and vegetables. The market also featured resources from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Police Department, and Public Library. The Fire Department and Department of Recreation and Parks will take part in this summer’s market.
“Food and Nutrition Services is one of the shining stars of our school system,” Superintendent George Arlotto said. “Supervisor Jodi Risse and her entire team go above and beyond to think creatively and use every available resource to help residents of our county ensure that children receive healthy meals all year round.”
The USDA Free Summer Meals Program is administered in Maryland by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and is critical in the lives of youth whose risk for food insecurity increases during the summer months when they no longer have access to school meals. Summer meals can assist in alleviating summertime food insecurity, and can positively impact children’s growth and development by offering nutritious meals and encouraging children and teens to develop healthy habits at a young age. High quality summer meals provide daily energy and help make sure children are healthy and ready to learn when they return to school in the fall.