TEMPLATE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER DROP-IN ARTICLE/MATTE ARTICLE
Note: Customize this Community Newspaper Article to announce the start of your summer meals
program in your area. See “Working with the Media” section of the Sodexo Foundation Summer Meals
Outreach Toolkit for more tips.
SUBJECT LINE: Free food, friends and fun served up at summer meals sites across [CITY/STATE]
For many kids, summertime means food, friends and fun. For families who count on school breakfast
and lunch, however, the summer months can be stressful and family food budgets have to be stretched
even further.
Summer is also a critical time for kids and teens’ academic and physical development. During the
summer, they can lose out on several months of learning and physical activity that they would normally
get at school.
There’s good news: free summer meals are available to kids and teens ages 18 and younger at hundreds
of summer meals sites across [CITY/STATE] similar to School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, except
meals are free to all kids who come to a registered summer meals site. Free summer meals help families
save money and stretch their family food budgets during the summer.
Many sites also offer learning and recreational activities which means that kids can get the same
nutrients that they get during the school year while staying active. Here are more details about the
program:
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FREE to kids and teens age 18 and under
Healthy meals based on USDA nutrition guidelines
Served at sites such as schools and churches that may offer learning and recreational activities
Fun, safe place for kids and teens to be active and visit with friends
Help families save money
No application or proof of income needed
[IF YOUR COMMUNITY OFFERS MOBILE MEALS OR TRANSPORTATION TO SITES, INCLUDE HERE]
Summertime should be a stress-free time full of food, friends and fun. Free summer meals can help. Go
to www.XXX.com or call 1-XXX-XXX-XXX to learn more, or text “[SHORTCODE]” to 877-877 to find a site
near you.
And for a healthy, budget-friendly meal at home during the summertime, check out this fun recipe. For
more recipes, visit CookingMatters.org.
[INCLUDE A PHOTO FROM A SUMMER MEALS SITE OR OF KIDS EATING AT A SUMMER MEALS SITE WITH
THE BELOW RECIPES]
Raspberry-Lime Fizz
Serves 5, 1 cup per serving | 80 calories per serving
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: None
Ingredients
1 cup cranberry-raspberry juice
4 cups seltzer water
1 large lime
Directions
1. In a large pitcher, mix cranberry-raspberry juice with seltzer water.
2. Rinse lime and cut in half. Squeeze juice from each half into the pitcher, discarding seeds.
3. Mix well before serving.
Black Bean and Vegetable Quesadillas
Serves 6, 1 folded quesadilla per serving | 250 calories per serving
Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
½ (15 ½ - ounce) can black beans, no salt added
2 medium zucchini
1 bunch fresh spinach (about 4 cups)
1 ear fresh corn or 1 cup canned corn
4 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese
1 Tablespoon canola oil
Pinch ground cayenne pepper
1-2 teaspoons water
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
6 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
Non-stick cooking spray
Optional Ingredients
3 Tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro
Directions
1. In a colander, drain and rinse black beans.
2. Rinse zucchini. Cut into thin slices or shred with a grater.
3. Rinse and chop fresh spinach. If using fresh parsley or cilantro, rinse and chop now.
4. If using fresh corn, peel. Use a knife to cut corn kernels off of the cob. If using canned corn,
drain.
5. Grate cheese.
6. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add zucchini and cayenne pepper. Cook until
zucchini is semi-soft, about 5 minutes.
7. Add corn and spinach. Cover and cook until tender, stirring a few times, about 5 minutes more.
Remove from heat.
8. Add black beans to the veggie mixture. Stir to combine. Smash beans lightly with a fork. Add 1-2
teaspoons water to make a bean-and-veggie paste.
9. Season mixture with black pepper. If using parsley or cilantro, add now. Transfer mixture to
medium bowl. Reserve skillet.
10. Spread vegetable mixture evenly on half of each tortilla. Fold tortillas over. Press lightly with
spatula to flatten.
11. Spray skillet lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Add one folded
tortilla. Cook about 4 minutes per side, or until both sides of tortilla are golden brown. Repeat
until all quesadillas are cooked.
12. Cut each quesadilla into 2 wedges. Serve while hot.