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Journal-News: Middletown’s First Food Truck Battling Against Hunger

Journal-News Staff Writer Michael D. Clark was one of the first to see Middletown City School District’s first food truck. Middletown Schools knows food fuels our learners and the district is determined to provide all students with what they need to be successful.

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Schools starting food trucks to expand battle against student hunger
March 30, 2019
By Michael D. Clark, Journal-News Staff Writer

“Many area school districts are going to historic lengths to bring nutritional meals into the communities…

“Now that battle against hunger has gone mobile…

“Last week saw Middletown City Schools unveil the district’s first food truck, part of a $225,000 program to feed... students by going to them on non-school days. The large, brightly colored truck will travel to some of Middletown’s...communities this summer to deliver free lunches to children and teens who during the school year depend on such meals from their school cafeterias…

“Hungry and malnourished students can’t pay attention as well, and over time they are prone to lagging behind developmentally and physically, studies have shown…

“In Butler County, Middletown…[has] 100 percent of its student population eligible for free school meals…

“Ohio is one of the most food insecure states in the nation, according to 2017 national report…

“Middletown joins Lakota Local Schools and Hamilton schools in using mobile units to transport meals...during school breaks…

“All Ohio school districts offer federally subsidized free and reduced cost meals to financial eligible students during the school year…

“‘Providing sufficient nutrition is so important for a student’s growth and development (and) when you reduce a child’s anxiety about basic necessities, such as where and when they will receive their next meal, they are able to focus on learning which influences the quality of their education’...

“In Butler County, nearly one in seven families are food insecure, meaning these families experience lack access, at times, to enough food, according to a 2017 report from the YMCA…

“Middletown’s new food truck, adorned with ‘Middie Meal Machine’ and the district’s logo purple represents the latest reform tried by the largely low-income school districts…

“‘We are so excited the Middie Meal Machine is finally here,’ said Middletown Schools Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr….’We’ve been modernizing our approach to reaching students and teaching healthy habits. The Middie Meal Machine showcases the district’s commitment to provide all students with what they need to be successful.’”

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