State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and Governor Greg Gianforte Celebrate School Lunch Heroes with Montana City 5th Graders
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, along with Governor Greg Gianforte, visited Montana City Elementary School yesterday to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day. School Lunch Hero Day celebrates school nutrition staff as they nurture our students throughout their day in our public schools.
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said, “School lunch heroes play a vital role in all of our communities as these caring individuals interact daily with our students. School lunch provides balanced meals and shines the importance of sharing a meal and a conversation with students’ peers.” Arntzen continued, “Join me in thanking our Montana heroes as they deliver school lunch with a smile to our Montana students.”
“It was a pleasure joining Superintendent Arntzen in Montana City to celebrate Montana’s school lunch heroes. Providing our kids with healthy meals and getting to know them, they play a critical role in our schools and communities,” said Governor Greg Gianforte.
The Montana School Nutrition Programs 2020 annual report states that 25.4 million meals were served in Montana Schools. School lunch is provided to 51,866 students each day and 41.7% qualify for free or reduced meals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows meal program flexibility through federal and state waivers to ensure children have access to meals during school closure or remote learning.
For more information, contact OPI School Nutrition Programs Director, Christine Emerson at (406)-444-2502 or cemerson@mt.gov
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