The 2026 Summer Food Service Program at Byron-Bergen kicked off the week of July 6. In addition to providing meals for the Gilliam Grant day camp program, the municipal parks and recreation camps at Hickory and McElver parks, the Summer Reading program hosted at the Elementary School, and the Extended School Year program at the Jr./Sr. High School, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) now includes a Grab & Go meal pickup option on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the first week of the program, Byron-Bergen food service staff distributed over 2,500 meals.
“Byron-Bergen is delighted to be a Summer Food Service distribution point,” said Superintendent Pat McGee. “For as long as I have been with the district, we have provided free meal services for community day camp programs. Adding the Grab and Go meal pickups this year has really helped us reach more children in our community and neighboring communities. I can’t overstate the pride we feel in helping to provide healthy food for children during the summer months.”
The Grab & Go meal pickups take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Elementary School bus loop. Families interested in participating should pull into the bus loop at that time. They will be approached by a staff member and asked how many children they need meals for, and then the meals will be delivered to their vehicle. There is no paperwork and no residency restrictions. The last day of the program is August 13.
“I’m very proud of my staff for their hard work,” said Food Service Director Mary Della Penna. “On the first day of meal pickups, we distributed over 700 meals in 45 minutes. Today (Thursday), we distributed 1,030 meals. We’re providing dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins; all essential foods for healthy growing. This program is a great supplement for student nutrition.”
The SFSP is administered federally through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and statewide through the New York State Education Department to help prevent food insecurity and provide children ages 18 and under with healthy food options while school is out of session. The program was founded in 1968.
Provided information. Photos by Gretchen Spittler
Byron-Bergen Summer Food Services Staff (l-r) Mary Della Penna, Melanie Balduf, Shawna Tuttle, and Dana Bloom.
Byron-Bergen’s Dana Bloom delivers meals during Grab & Go meal pickup.
Racks of meals prepared for distribution.
