First week of Grab & Go meals at GHV goes well

GARNER - It's been two weeks since school across Iowa were closed as part of state-wide efforts to mitigate the spread of the COVED-19 virus and one full week of “Grab & Go” meals to students at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura.

 “The first week went very well,” said Kathy Zobrist, GHV Nutrition Program Director. “It was all about developing new processes for forecasting, preparing and assembling meals.  We had to get creative this week and use mostly supplies we already had on hand. My team this week (Kelly Lackore, Lori Wreghitt, Kristie Christians, Deb Rehm and Judy Winter) did a fabulous job adapting to the new routine.”

GHV staff and volunteers handed out 1,099 meals (497 breakfasts 602 lunches) at the elementary building in Garner and the middle school in Ventura. 

 “Our volunteers help us during the 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. meal distribution period. As people drive up, or walk up, the volunteers bring the meals out to the curb or sidewalk,” Zobrist said. 

“It's great to have extra hands to help and friendly faces to greet the kids. The volunteers have been parents, school employees (some are food service staff) and other members of the community.”

To sign up for available time slot to help check the website: www.signupgenius.com/go/904084aadab2ca7f58-ghvgrab

Lunches and breakfasts follow USDA guidelines.

 Breakfast includes a minimum of: 1 grain, 1/2 cup fruit and/or vegetable and 8 ounces milk. The cold breakfast is usually a juice box, milk and either cereal, a pop tart or cereal bar.

Lunch includes a minimum of: 2 ounces equivalent meat/meat alternate, 1 grain, 3/4 cup fruit and/or vegetable and 8 ounces milk. 

“On Friday, most children received a yogurt cup, cheese cubes, pretzels, baby carrots, an orange (or pear) and milk in their sack lunch,” Zobrist noted.

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura plans to continue offering the Grab & Go meal for the duration of the COVID-19 school closure.

Meal pick-up Change

Beginning Monday, March 30, parents / guardians may pick up meals without their children being present. Please be prepared to share information about the children, including the school where each eligible child attends.

Meals will consist of one breakfast and one lunch per child.  They are free to all children ages 1-18 living in households where at least one child attends school in the district.  

This is a drive-up/pick-up meal service only - no eating on site, and available on a first come, first serve basis.