ARPS Food Services has New Director and New Website

The PGO would like to thank Mr. Ryan Harb for presenting at the Coffee on Friday, October 27th. Mr. Harb, the new Director of Food Services for Amherst Regional Public Schools, spoke about the district’s new in-house food services and answered multiple questions from parents. The switch to an in-house program provides much more flexibility and there are many exciting changes in the works. Students at ARHS and ARMS have been enjoying weekly visits from Chef Sam including samples of future menu items. Chef Sam will be visiting some elementary schools soon.

Mr. Harb has established a new website dedicated to the food served in the schools and even blogs about the latest develpments. Read about the science initiatives that led to Garden Soup Day here. Get the latest menus, pay for My School Bucks, stay up to date, or simply admire the beautiful food photography at http://www.amherstfood.com/.

February Vacation Break & Kids Boost & Food Program available fromAmherst Survival Center

Do you live in one of the 13 towns our pantry serves (see list below) and have a school-age child (ages 5-17 years) who depends on a meals benefit during the school year? For many children and their families, school vacations mean that the free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches they rely on are not available.

Our Food Pantry’s Kids Boost program provides families with school-age children with extra child-friendly nutritious food (the “boost”) during every month that has a scheduled school vacation  (February, April, June, July, August, December).

QUESTION:      HOW TO REGISTER FOR OUR FOOD PANTRY AND GET THE BOOST? 

ANSWER:          If you live in one of the 13 towns our Food Pantry serves (see list below), come to the pantry during our open hours and bring proof of residence and proof that the school-age children live in your household.  Find out here.

SUMMER BOOST: Families with school-age children will receive extra food per child from the Pantry (the equivalent of nine additional meals), in their June, July and August distributions.

In addition, families can also come to the Amherst Survival Center for food from these Center programs:

• lunch Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from noon-1pm,
• light supper on Thursdays from 5-6pm, and
• get fresh produce from 11am-3pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and from 11am to 7pm on Thursday.

Our Food Pantry serves residents from these towns:

• Amherst
• Belchertown
• Deerfield
• Granby
• Leverett
• Pelham
• Shutesbury
• South Deerfield
• South Hadley
• Sunderland
• Whately
• Ware

Generous financial donations from Amherst Pediatrics, The Rotary Club of Amherst, Berkshire Bank Foundation, and contributions from individuals, supported the Kids SUMMER Boost in 2014. Another donation from C&S Wholesalers supported the Boost during school vacations in February and April 2015.