The Seamless Summer Option from the National School Lunch Program has made it possible for all Hamden Public Schools to offer free breakfasts and lunches to its students for the 2021-2022 school year.
Life during the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged out three biggest needs as humans more than ever — safety, shelter and food. For Hamden residents whose children are enrolled in Hamden Public Schools, food is free.
Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools Jody Goeler has made it his priority to lessen the impact of food insecurity in Hamden.
By bringing together Quinnipiac University, pantries and food organizations, members of the public school system and its meal provider, he was able to orchestrate and enlist Hamden public schools into the Community Eligibility Provision program.
If children aren’t eating, they’re not learning-certainly to their full capacity.
Jody Goeler, Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools
“Schools providing free meals takes away the burdensome task of families having to fill out onerous forms and requiring families to disclose their income,” Goeler said. “If children aren’t eating, they’re not learning-certainly to their full capacity.
Some Hamden residents are pleased with Goeler’s initiative to provide free meals.
“Superintendent Goeler has made this program a priority for the district and has done a good job communicating about it and getting lots of meals to those who need them,” said Jessica Mangini, Hamden resident and parent of Matthew Mangini, a Hamden middle schooler.
Even prior to the pandemic, food insecurity was something on Goeler’s mind.
[The pandemic] only reinforced our efforts to ensure these basic services were available at our schools or delivered to people’s homes.
Jody Goeler, Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools
“[The pandemic] only reinforced our efforts to ensure these basic services were available at our schools or delivered to people’s homes,” Goeler said.
Goeler said the importance of fixing food insecurity, especially for students, cannot be understated.
By offering free breakfast and lunch, students are not only ensured a meal in the middle of the school day, but also gives them the breakfast boost they need to keep them ready to learn, especially in the morning.
Offering free meals begs the question: where is all the funding for this coming from?
While Goeler said he doesn’t know exactly how these services will impact the schools’ next budget, he is confident in the work of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who is chairing the House Appropriations Committee, to ensure the community receives the federal support it needs.
“Nonetheless, our community will continue to support this initiative and reallocate funds if needed,” Goeler said.
While opting into the Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program helped provide free food for this school year, Goeler is thinking bigger. He hopes to extend this program into next year and years beyond.
“There’s no looking back,” Goeler said.
Hamden Middle School student Matthew Mangini approves of the food quality that the school system provides.
“They have a good selection and provide good food,” Matthew Mangini said.
Some lunch options at Hamden Middle School include Philly cheesesteaks, chicken parmesan and barbeque rib sandwiches.
This program will not only please its students, but also parents who can focus their funds on other pressing needs brought on by the pandemic.
