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Fairfield schools expand New Paris summer meal service after demand outpaces supply
Summary
District officials reported sharp increases in summer meal demand after moving service to New Paris; staff raised distribution from 200 to 450 meals in one week and plan to prepare 500 next week, with service Thursdays through July 16.
Fairfield Community Schools administrators told trustees that summer meal service relocated to New Paris has produced markedly higher participation and prompted the district to expand distribution.
"Last year we distributed the highest week at Millersburg of 171; the first week at New Paris was 200," Assistant Superintendent Monica Kenderas said. "We increased to 450 meals this week, and we still had 35 students that wanted meals, so we are increasing again next week to 500."
Kenderas described the program as a full-week package: five breakfasts and five lunches per child, with the district switching from individual milk cartons to two half-gallons (a gallon) per child to simplify distribution. She said staff distribute meals from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and plan to continue the service through July 16, the Thursday before the fair.
Rebecca Matthysse and other staff helped expand outreach and signage, Kenderas said, and a social-worker-led survey indicated families preferred New Paris for proximity to neighborhoods served. Trustees did not alter the program but applauded the increase in participation.
The district said it will further adjust quantities each week based on attendance and demand.
