Photos: Congressman McGovern Hosts 2nd Annual Summer Food Rocks Tour

Press Release

On Friday, July 17, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) hosted his 2nd annual Summer Food Rocks Tour to bring attention to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) national Summer Food Service program and highlight how it assists low-income students in Massachusetts. The Congressman was honored to be joined on the tour by USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon as well as numerous local, state, federal and not-for-profit partners. The tour included stops in Ware, Orange, Leominster, and Worcester. See event photos online here.

"A child's need for healthy, nutritious food doesn't just end when the school year does," Congressman McGovern said. "With our second annual Summer Food Rocks Tour, I'm excited to be working with our national, state, local and not-for-profit leaders to ensure that every eligible family that requires access to food this summer knows that this program is available. Helping all of our students have a healthy and productive summer is so important. We should do everything we can to ensure that no child goes hungry simply because school is out. I'm proud to see this program continue to make a big difference for our communities. I hope that through this tour, eligible families who do not participate will decide to give it a try."

"Children are particularly vulnerable to hunger and poor nutrition, especially when school is out," said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services. "That's why this summer, we've set a goal of serving 200 million meals nationally; it was encouraging to see the great work being done in Massachusetts to help to reach as many children and teens as possible. USDA is happy to see strong partnerships work diligently to ensure no child goes hungry."

The USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites.

In addition to USDA Under Secretary Concannon, Congressman McGovern was joined on the tour by national, state, local and not-for-profit leaders including; USDA Regional Administrator Food and Nutrition Service Kurt Messner; Acting Director for Nutrition Health and Safety Programs for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Rob Leshin; Director of Child Nutrition Outreach Programs for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Ashley Krebs, EOS Foundation Director Christy Mach Dubé, representatives of Share Our Strength, Project Bread, the Leominster Spanish American Center, the Montachusett Opportunity Council and The Worcester County Food Bank, as well as numerous state and local elected officials, educational leaders, and food service managers from across Massachusetts.

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