Thanks to a federal program, the Biddeford School Department will offer free breakfast and lunch this summer to any child age 18 and under. The Summer Food Service Program is administered by the Maine Department of Education and paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ”“ with no local cost.

It is a new program for Biddeford; Sanford School Nutrition has offered a similar program for the past 17 years.

Free meals were offered last summer at 199 sites throughout the state, and about 450,000 meals were served to school-age children, according to DOE Summer Food Service Program Manager Gail Lombardi.

Despite the success so far, the program is only reaching about 17 percent of the eligible children in the state, Lombardi said.

We hope Biddeford and other area residents will take advantage of this new  opportunity, and get their children to the Biddeford Primary School for breakfast, lunch or both.

Many families in Sanford do. In past years, upwards of 400  Sanford children have taken part in the program that is offered at six sites in town.

The program is open to all and has no cost to local residents, nor any income requirements.

Program organizers say the meals must meet USDA guidelines, and include specific amounts of milk, meat or meat alternatives, grains, and fruits and vegetables. The meals provided will help children maintain proper nutrition, and the good, quality foods will ensure they have energy throughout the day whether they spend their time at the park, at the beach, or reading a good book.

Proper nutrition throughout the summer also keeps continuity in children’s lives and diets, so that when they return to school in the fall, those habits have not been disrupted or deteriorated.

Lombardi said, “Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Hunger also may make children more prone to illness and other health issues.”

We agree, which is why this program is so important, and why more people should take advantage of the free meals.

In addition to offering healthy food, the program also offers a safe place for children to spend the morning or afternoon, and provides the opportunity for them to make connections with other youngsters. Parents could use the meal times as a way to gather children for other healthy activities that they could host at a nearby park or play area after the meals.

In Biddeford, breakfast will be offered from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the Biddeford Primary School. The Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center, 32-34 Water St. in Biddeford, is also participating in the Summer Food Service Program, and will provide lunch Monday through Friday at noon, from July 5 through Aug. 19.

In Sanford, breakfast is served at Carl L. Lamb School, Margaret Chase Smith School and at Memorial Gym from 7:30-8:30 a.m. June 23 to Aug. 12. Lunch is served at Benton Playground and Springvale Playground from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Carpentier Park, Carl J. Lamb School, Margaret Chase Smith School and Memorial Gym.

As well, Sanford School Nutrition will offer meals at Acton Elementary School Monday through Thursday from July 5-28. Breakfast is from 8-8:30 a.m., and lunch is 11:30 a.m. to noon.

We applaud all of those who help prepare and serve these meals to local youth and are glad the USDA has chosen to support such a program, which will mean a brighter, healthier summer for young people who depend on these meals during the school year.