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District uses school bus for program that feeds low-income students

The Manatee County (Fla.) School District’s school bus, which no longer runs in its fleet, is wrapped with brightly colored photos of the four food groups and delivers free lunches to more than 100 children each day. The food bus program runs through Aug. 8 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

June 16, 2014
District uses school bus for program that feeds low-income students

Manatee County School District is using a bus that no longer runs in its fleet to feed low-income students during the summer. The bus, shown here, is wrapped with brightly colored photos of the four food groups and delivers free lunches.

1 min to read


BRADENTON, Fla. — WTSP reports that the Manatee County School District is bringing meals to low-income students during the summer using a school bus that no longer runs in its fleet.

The vehicle, which the children call the "food bus," according to WTSP, stops in three neighborhoods Monday through Friday and serves more than 100 children each day. The bus is wrapped with brightly colored photos of the four food groups and delivers free lunches. It includes a lunch room and a menu that features a different balanced meal each day.

The program runs through Aug. 8 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The district serves more than 44,000 breakfasts, lunches and snacks during the school year compared to 12,000 meals and snacks during the summer. District officials told the news outlet that the food bus helps them reach more needy students during the summer.

If the program does well this year the school district may add another bus next summer.

To read the full story, click here.

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