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County public health proposes sponsoring summer pickup meals; commissioners ask about sustainability
Summary
Montezuma County Public Health proposed sponsoring a Colorado Department of Education summer non‑congregate meal pickup program that would cap county‑sponsored participation at 350 children per week (plus a 75‑meal partner contribution), with an April 15 application deadline and commissioners asking for more time to review sustainability and procurement requirements.
Public Health presented a proposal for Mon tezuma County to sponsor a Colorado Department of Education summer non‑congregate meal program to provide pick‑up lunches for children during the summer months.
Laurel Schaefer (Public Health) said the health department would serve as sponsor for a program that requires a sponsor, a vendor to prepare meals and a distribution site. Good Sams was identified as the proposed distribution center and the county would put the administrative and procurement structure in place; the vendor would be procured under county procurement rules.
"We would go no more than 350 meals per week," Schaefer said, explaining the county cap. She also said Dove Creek’s partner organization — "the Rock" — would provide 75 meals per week, for a combined maximum of 425 children served weekly. Over a nine‑week summer schedule that could represent up to 2,125 meals weekly at maximum signup, although staff noted actual numbers would depend on family signups each week.
Staff described the program as non‑congregate pickup (families sign up and pick up boxes), not run through school kitchen access, and emphasized that initial setup is front‑loaded: training, procurement, vendor contracting and monthly invoicing under CDE rules. Schaefer said she completed required online training to qualify the department as sponsor and that the April 15 application deadline would begin the procurement and setup work for meals intended to start in June when school ends.
Commissioners raised several concerns: whether public health has capacity to oversee the program, whether starting a county‑sponsored program that might not be renewed next year would create dependency, and how administrative fees would cover staff time. Staff said they expect heavier front‑end effort to launch the first year and estimated ongoing monthly reporting and invoicing would require approximately one to two hours per week once established; the long‑term goal is to transition operation to a school or community partner.
The board asked staff to continue developing details and come back for a decision; staff noted the April 15 application date for program approval and that the county can decline if it cannot meet CDE requirements.
