SCHOOL SYSTEM TO SHIFT TO SUMMER MEALS DISTRIBUTION PLAN ON JULY 1; 5TH ANNUAL FARMERS MARKET OPEN

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will shift to its summer meal distribution plan on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, maintaining the number of sites across the county but reducing the number of meals offered each day.

Children ages 2 to 18, regardless of family income status, can still pick up one breakfast and one lunch on Monday through Wednesday, and two breakfasts and two lunches on Thursday. AACPS will be closed on Fridays through August 21, 2020, and meals will not be distributed on these days.

AACPS has provided more than 1.5 million free meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners) to children since schools were shut down on March 16, 2020. Neither the United States Department of Agriculture nor the State has provided a waiver for the dinners beyond June 30, 2020. Barring a waiver or additional funding, the dinners will be discontinued effective July 1, 2020.

“Our Food and Nutrition Services personnel have been nothing short of phenomenal since mid-March and they have been on the front lines every day to ensure our children get meals they need or desire,” Superintendent George Arlotto said.

Parents or guardians who wish to pick up meals without their children present must call the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 410-222-5900 in advance and provide their name, the names and ages of their children for whom they will pick up meals, and the meal site location. Once approved, names will be placed on a roster maintained at the pickup location. Parent and guardians can only request to pick up meals for their children.

A complete list of meal sites can be found at www.aacps.org/mealpickup.

 

FIFTH ANNUAL BROOKLYN PARK FARMERS MARKET NOW UNDER WAY

Residents in the northern part of Anne Arundel County will once again have access to fresh fruits and vegetables as well as resources from a variety of county agencies again this year thanks to the continued partnership between Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, and Shlagel Farms.

The fifth annual Brooklyn Park Farmers Market, held in the parking lot at Brooklyn Park Middle School, located at 200 Hammonds Lane in Brooklyn Park, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Monday through August 24 and is open to the public. Free meals are distributed from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the market.

In addition to the Department of Health, the following agencies take part in the market: Anne Arundel County Fire Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities; Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks; Anne Arundel County Public Library; the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families; and the 21st Century Education Foundation.