School's Out for Summer, But Lunch is Still Being Served

School is out for summer, but lunch is still being served thanks to efforts by the Campus Kitchen at Northwestern University (CKNU) to feed.

CKNU will provide 20,000 free lunches to Illinois children during their summer break from school through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Sodexo.

The lunches, which use local produce and are prepared by student volunteers at Northwestern University's Campus Kitchen, fill the void left by free school lunch and breakfast programs. According to a recent Associated Press article, the Food Research and Action Center reports that states and cities cut summer feeding programs in 2009 as need increased.

CKNU’s Feeding our Future meal program began July 6 and runs through August 30. This marks The Campus Kitchens Project’s fifth year providing free summer lunches to area students through the Feeding Our Future program.

"Student volunteers at the Campus Kitchens Project have served over 1 million meals to those in need in their community," said CKP director Maureen Roche. "We believe food is a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities. Working with our partners in Chicago and giving students needed lunches is a natural fit for us."

CKP's efforts are part of a nationwide effort by the USDA and Sodexo.  Sodexo's Feeding Our Future Program was established to ensure that students who qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch during the school year have the nutritious meals they need during the summer to maintain their health and readiness for the next school year. This program compliments the national effort by the USDA through the Summer Food Service Program.