EL MONTE — The Mountain View Supper Program expanded to every TK-8 school in the district Monday, Sept. 14. Students participating in after-school programs now have access to a free hot evening meal before heading home.
The expansion followed a pilot at Payne Elementary and Twin Lakes School. Those campuses served an average of 100 supper meals each day, according to Mountain View School District.
Six additional campuses joined the program Monday: Baker, La Primaria, Maxson, Miramonte, Monte Vista and Parkview. Payne and Twin Lakes are continuing their existing programs.
The expansion brings supper service to all eight district TK-8 schools in El Monte and South El Monte.
Supper Extends Daily Student Meal Service
Participating schools can now provide breakfast, lunch and supper during a student’s extended school day.
The third meal can be important for students who remain on campus for several hours after classes end. The district reports that more than half of its students participate in after-school programs through MAX Learning.
Students in those programs receive academic support, enrichment and recreational opportunities while many parents remain at work. Supper gives participating students another nutritious meal during that extended schedule.
The program can also help families manage evening routines and household food costs.
The district credited its Nutrition Services Department with applying for the program and leading the expansion after the Payne and Twin Lakes pilot.
Mountain View Supper Program Uses Federal Funds
The Mountain View Supper Program operates through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, known as CACFP. The federal nutrition program is administered in California by the California Department of Social Services.
CACFP’s at-risk after-school component reimburses eligible programs for meals and snacks served to children in low-income communities. Qualifying programs must also provide organized educational or enrichment activities.
Meals at Mountain View’s participating locations are provided at no charge to children enrolled in the program, according to the district’s public notice.
Families can learn more about the Child and Adult Care Food Program through the California Department of Social Services website.
Six More Campuses Now Serve Supper
The newly participating campuses are Baker Elementary, 12043 Exline St.; La Primaria Elementary, 4220 Gilman Road; and Maxson Elementary, 12380 Felipe St.
Miramonte Elementary, 10620 Schmidt Road; Monte Vista School, 11111 Thienes Ave.; and Parkview School, 12044 Elliott St. also began offering supper Monday.
The districtwide expansion recognizes that students’ nutritional needs continue after classroom instruction ends. Children staying for after-school activities can spend several hours on campus between lunch and returning home.
For working families, supper at school can provide practical support during the hours between dismissal and pickup. It may also reduce some household food costs for families whose children regularly attend after-school programs.
Families seeking information about participation or meal service can contact Mountain View School District at 626-652-4000.
With the program now operating at every TK-8 campus, Mountain View has extended its meal service to better match the longer school days experienced by many students in El Monte and South El Monte.
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