PSJA child nutrition administrator Pedro Contreras outlines summer meals program

Pedro Contreras, PHARR-SAN JUAN-ALAMO ISD child nutrition administrator, said the district will provide summer breakfast and lunch across the Rio Grande Valley, with campus and community sites operating in June, July and August.

"We continue in June, and we continue actually throughout the whole summer, July and August," Contreras said, outlining the district's continuity of service beyond the regular school year. He said meals are available to any child 18 years and younger, and students up to age 21 who receive special education services are also eligible.

Contreras said the district operates its campus sites during the school year and is adding community sites for the summer. "We will have a total of 46 sites open and operating throughout the summer," he said, noting two community locations specifically: the Alamo Youth Center and the Pepe Salinas Center in the City of Pharr. He briefly misspoke while clarifying counts during the interview and then restated the figures; the district's summer total as described is 46 sites (44 campus sites plus two community sites).

The district provided serving windows to help families plan. For elementary campuses Contreras gave breakfast service from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon; middle and high schools will serve breakfast 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

On meal quality, Contreras emphasized local sourcing: "We work closely with our local farms and our local ranchers," he said, describing partnerships to bring fresh produce and beef into school meals. He also said the district uses in-state dairy suppliers and that the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded grants to support fresh-produce purchases.

Contreras described a recent farm-to-market tasting event at PSJA North High School where elementary students sampled fruits, vegetables and meats from partnered producers. "Children had an opportunity to taste fresh meat, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and they were very excited," he said.

Families new to a site should ask front-office staff for directions, Contreras said, and site staff will guide visitors to the cafeteria. He said the program's normal cafeteria procedures largely mirror the school-year routine; for safety and program integrity, meals must be consumed on-site in the cafeteria.

For schedules and additional sites, Contreras pointed listeners to the PSJA website and the Texas Department of Agriculture's site at squaremeals.org. He gave the Child Nutrition Department phone number as (956) 784-8545 for callers seeking help finding a site or schedule.

Contreras and host Cindy closed by urging families to take advantage of the program. "Have a safe summer. And you can always eat healthy with PSJA," Contreras said. The interview concluded with a reminder that summer meal sites are intended to reduce barriers to nutritious food for children while school is out.