MCPS expands summer meal access: hybrid SFSP sites and rural pickup plan

Montgomery County Public Schools nutrition staff told the board they will expand summer meal access next summer by using a hybrid of Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) congregate sites and a rural non-congregate pickup option to reach more children across the county.

Supervisor of School Nutrition Michelle Knotts presented the plan. She said summer school runs June 2'26 (Montgomery Central is June 2'18) and described two streams of meal provision.

What will change - SFSP congregate sites: Eight qualifying schools will operate as SFSP summer-school sites and open for community breakfast and lunch Monday'Thursday during community hours (examples: breakfast 9:00'10:00; lunch 12:45'1:45 at most sites). Eligible community members must be accompanied by or supervising children 18 or younger and must eat on-site. The eight qualifying schools are Eastmont Elementary, Price's Fork Elementary, Shawsville, Falling Branch, Montgomery Central, Bellevue, Christiansburg Elementary and Christiansburg Primary. - Reimbursement rates: Months the district claims SFSP meals will be reimbursed at the state USDA rates cited by staff: $2.84 per breakfast and $4.43 per lunch (Knotts read the SFSP reimbursement rates provided by VDOE guidance). - Rural non-congregate pickup in July: For county residents beyond morning congregation windows staff proposed three pickup sites (Christiansburg Elementary School, Bellevue and Shawsville Middle School) for four consecutive Mondays in July; each registered child may receive seven breakfasts and seven lunches for a week (Knotts said children need not be present at pickup and adults may collect meals for children 18 or younger). The district will package weekend bags (three breakfasts and three lunches) each Thursday during summer school for qualifying SFSP sites.

Why it matters: Knotts said the hybrid model will extend reach to rural families through a non-congregate pickup strategy while preserving congregate breakfasts/lunches for summer-school participants and nearby community visitors. The plan is reimbursable through USDA funds administered by the Virginia Department of Education; Knotts said those reimbursements will cover the meals.

Operational notes and outreach Knotts described outreach plans: yard signs, banners, flyers, school newsletters, social media, district and school websites, and local news coverage. She said menus, food-safety instructions and nutrition information will be included in weekly pickup packets. Staff discussed logistics for bus or community group transport during congregate hours and said community groups (churches, day cares) may bring children to the congregate site provided they eat on-site and are supervised.

Board reaction Board members praised the plan and asked for marketing materials; Dr. Guidry and others asked about funding and Knotts said reimbursement comes through USDA routed by the Virginia Department of Education. Miss Barton asked about volunteers; Knotts said volunteers are welcome and principals already volunteered staff for some pick-up events.

Speakers quoted or cited Michelle Knotts, Supervisor of School Nutrition (MCPS): presented site lists, hours and reimbursement rates.

Authorities referenced - policy/other: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and rural non-congregate options administered under USDA guidance and routed through the Virginia Department of Education (referenced by presenter).

Actions []

Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: Nutrition staff outlined a plan and answered logistical questions. - Direction: Board expressed support and asked for marketing materials and operational details. - Formal action: None recorded; program rollout and claims will be executed by the nutrition office.

Clarifying details [{"category":"summer_school_dates","detail":"Summer school dates for most sites and Montgomery Central","value":"June 2 through June 26; Montgomery Central June 2 through June 18","source_speaker":"Michelle Knotts"},{"category":"reimbursement_rates","detail":"SFSP reimbursement rates reported by staff","value":2.84,"units":"USD per breakfast","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Michelle Knotts"},{"category":"reimbursement_rates","detail":"SFSP lunch reimbursement rate reported by staff","value":4.43,"units":"USD per lunch","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Michelle Knotts"},{"category":"pickup_program","detail":"Rural non-congregate July pickup plan","value":"Three pickup sites (Christiansburg Elementary, Bellevue, Shawsville Middle) open four Mondays in July for 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches per child","source_speaker":"Michelle Knotts"}]

proper_names:[{"name":"Montgomery County Public Schools","type":"agency"},{"name":"Summer Food Service Program","type":"program"},{"name":"Virginia Department of Education","type":"agency"},{"name":"Christiansburg Elementary School","type":"school"},{"name":"Shawsville Middle School","type":"school"}],

searchable_tags:["summer_meals","SFSP","food_security","MCPS"],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"6646.9697","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Tonight, I'd like to talk to you about some changes that we're gonna move forward with and make to our, summer feeding programs... The dates that you see there, our summer school is June 2 through June 26...","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"6914.5454","local_start":0,"local_end":240,"evidence_excerpt":"So the those following 8 schools are who has qualified... The summer food service program or what is now being called sun meals... $2.84 for every breakfast... $4.43 for the lunch.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

salience:{"overall":0.6,"overall_justification":"Direct impact on student nutrition and family food security during summer; operational plan ready to implement.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Affects families in multiple communities in the county.","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Board support and local outreach planned; USDA reimbursement secures funding.","novelty":0.3,"novelty_justification":"Expands existing summer feeding models with rural pickup; not unprecedented but locally important.","timeliness_urgency":0.7,"timeliness_urgency_justification":"Summer program logistics require planning and marketing before July.