In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused the closure of Florida learning institutions, for the time being, Orange County Public Schools has made an effort to ensure that their students are still being fed regularly. 

Christina Howell is the principal of McCoy Elementary School, one of the sites in Orange County where parents can get a “grab-and-go meal.”

“We’re not just serving our McCoy students, although there are a lot of them coming through,” Howell said. “We’re open to the surrounding communities as well for those without sites.”

Howell estimated that on the first day that the school was open to give out meals, they served 350 students. The next day, she thinks they reached over 400.

The meals are similar to what the students would receive at school on a normal weekday. Perhaps a breakfast bar, cereal, and milk in the morning and a chicken nugget meal with sides for lunch. The meals vary from day-to-day.

“[The meals] have the nutritional value that we make sure we have for our students on a regular day,” Howell said.

Different teams are working at McCoy Elementary School to make the meals possible. Some work in the kitchens to prep and cook the meals as well as make sure that they are stored safely. Volunteers work outside to direct the line of cars and facilitate the food pick up. Howell estimates that 20 people are working to make everything possible.

The program began district-wide on March 23. On March 29, the hours of pick-up were amended – now from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. According to Orange County Schools, parents do not need to have their students with them in order to be able to pick up a meal. They only need to provide the student’s name; no identification is needed.

“We’re trying to get people through as quickly as possible,” Howell said.

The program applies to all Orange County students, not just those who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Parents are encouraged to follow all directions from Orange County Schools staff at the pick-up sites. Families must not exit their vehicles at any point, and they are not allowed to stay and eat their meals in the area. Parents are also responsible for keeping in mind their student’s food allergies – there are currently no substitute meals.

As of now, Florida schools are scheduled to remain closed through May 1. The program will go on at least until then.
The list of Orange County schools where the meals are available is located here.

Photos Courtesy of Orange County Public Schools