Alachua County Public Schools’ food and nutrition services director is one of 11 people across the U.S.  chosen as a Summer Hunger Hero by No Kid Hungry, a national campaign established in 2010 to decrease child hunger. 

According to a press release from No Kid Hungry, “this year’s heroes have gone above and beyond to expand summer meals in rural communities.” 

Jamie Lovett and her team at the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Department have grown  “non-congregate” meal programs for Alachua County children, specifically in the county’s outlying areas. Non-congregate programs let families pick up meals and ingredients to bring home with them instead of having children eat on location, the ACPS release said.  

As result of Lovett and her team’s efforts, the number of non-congregate summer meals distributed last summer was more than four times as much as the summer prior, the ACPS release said.  

“I’m truly honored to be recognized by No Kid Hungry as a Summer Hunger Hero,” Lovett said in an ACPS press release. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and help ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals throughout the summer.” 

This summer, non-congregate meals, referred locally as “grab and go,” are being distributed at 11 sites in Archer, High Springs, Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry and Waldo through July 25. In addition to the grab and go locations, the FNS is also offering prepared breakfasts and/or lunch or late snacks at 65 sites around the county. 

“No Kid Hungry is proud to honor Jamie Lovett for her tireless work to ensure kids in rural communities receive summer meals,” Sky Beard, No Kid Hungry’s Florida director, said in the ACPS release. “Her dedication to ensuring every child gets a healthy meal during the summer is inspiring.” 

For more information about all the prepared meals and grab and go distribution sites and the schedules for each location, visit yourchoicefresh.com and click on the link in the Summer Break Spot pop-up window.