Photo courtesy of Shelby Turnquist Houghton Elementary offers free breakfast and lunches for school-aged children on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m., with farmers often bringing in fresh produce. 

HOUGHTON — The Summer Food Service Program (also known as SUN Meals) helps kids in rural areas get access to breakfast and lunch during the summer months. Houghton Elementary has participated in the program since 2020 and serves children under 18 and special needs adults under 26 who are enrolled in school.

Houghton Schools Food Service Director Shelby Turnquist said the program provides seven breakfasts and seven lunches per week for pick up from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

“We ask that you pre-sign up, we have a link that you can sign up,” Turnquist said. “But if you come to the door and aren’t signed up, as long as we still have food we’ll give food.”

SUN Meals is put on by the Michigan Department of Education. According to Turnquist, Houghton Elementary operates as a Rural Non-congregate (RNC), which allows families to pick-up meals, rather than eating in the school itself.

“We get paid so much per-meal from the state and federal governments,” she said. “And then we have to come up with the menu just like during the school year.”

Turnquist said she received a grant to purchase local produce last year and is looking ahead to future funding from local and state sources.

“We’re also really big into farm-to-school here,” she said. “I’ve had local farmers bring in produce, and that is above and beyond what this program is.”

Turnquist said farmers are eager to give back to their communities and schools, especially during growing and harvesting seasons in the early summer.

“I let the farmers know they have to bring produce to me by 3 p.m.,” she said. “I let them bring in whatever they’re picking fresh off the field that day.”

Hancock Public Schools also operates as a RNC SUN Meals partner.

You can pre-register for free meals at Houghton Elementary for your child at https://forms.gle/3qTUZGzkPdEucghG9. For more information on SUN Meals visit www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/. Additional questions can be directed to Turnquist at sturnquist@hpts.us.