Providing nutritious meals that are tasty and wholesome has been the mission of the Summer Food Service Program since it began eight years ago. Coordinated by Powell Valley Healthcare’s nutrition services department, the program provides free meals in the community for children under 18 years of age during the summer. On July 7, the nutrition services department was notified that they had received the prestigious Turnip The Beat! Gold award through the USDA and joined the ranks with 85 other summer food service program sponsors from across the nation. The one other Wyoming sponsor to make the list is the Feeding Laramie Valley Kids Out to Lunch program located in Laramie.

According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website, the Turnip the Beet! awards were created to showcase sponsors who are going above and beyond to ensure that children in their care are receiving high-quality meals that are both nutritious and appetizing. 

“Our goal is to always work at making the program better and we’ve consistently had great help from our kitchen staff, student aides, and volunteers,” said Travis Tucker, nutrition services director at PVHC. “I’m proud of our team and all the work they put in to make the Summer Food Service Program successful.  This award is a nice recognition for all they do."

For more information about the USDA’s Turnip The Beet! High Quality Summer Meals Award Program, visit fns.usda.gov/sfsp/turnip-the-beet. 

The Summer Food Service Program ends on Aug. 1.  PVHC’s nutrition services team wants to remind the community about the end-of-season barbecue from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, at Homesteader Park, in the large picnic shelter. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a delicious meal and celebrate another successful summer of free meals for children in our community.