Let the sun shine in

School’s out for the summer but for some kids, that means less access to nourishment for mind and body. Last week’s dedication of Goochland Schools’ Sunshine Food Bus received lots of good publicity.

Annelice Reid, a student at Randolph Elementary School won a $50-dollar prize for submitting the winning name for the mobile food service vehicle. It will visit various locations throughout the county between June 10 and August 2 providing free lunches to students under the age of 18 and to adults for $3.00. Books will also be distributed to help keep reading skills sharp over the summer break.

The Sunshine Bus was the brainchild of Lisa Landrum, Supervisor of Nutrition for the Goochland School Division. She had been searching for a way to provide food for students during the summer months, when school-based meals were not available.  “I am delighted that we now have this opportunity to feed children during the summer,” Landrum said during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the county administration building on June 11.

Ribbon cutting  Dr .Jeremy Raley, school board members Beth Hardy and Karen Horne and Lisa Landrum

Using a bus that was being rotated out of service, students at the Career and Technical Education Center used their skills to repurpose it into a mobile feeding center. The bus has warming ovens, refrigerators, a sink, seating area, and serving counters to access a service window. Food is prepared in the school cafeteria for distribution.

CTE students gutted inside of the bus and repurposed for food service

The bus will also provide opportunities for culinary arts students and extend food service in other ways throughout the year.

Refrigerators, warming oven, sinks and service window  in place.

Dr. Jeremy Raley, superintendent of schools, said that Landrum first suggested creating a mobile cafeteria for summer use several years ago. She persisted and the food bus became reality.

In addition to the CTE program, community partners who funded creation of the Sunshine Food Bus include: The Goochland Rotary Club; Piedmont Smokehouse; the Goochland Education Foundation; Old Dominion Metal Products, Inc. Custom metal Fabrication; and Goochland Community Action Program.

The Sunshine Bus menu is: Monday: Assorted Deli Sandwiches, BBQ Sandwich or Meal Breaks® Chicken Salad Meal; Tuesday: Ranch Chicken Wrap, Hot Dog w/chili sauce, Meal Breaks® Hummus Meal or Chef Salad; Wednesday: Assorted Deli Sandwiches, Nachos or Meal Breaks® Chicken Salad Meal; Thursday: Deli Wrap, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Meal Breaks® Hummus Meal or Chef Salad ;Friday: Assorted Deli Sandwiches, Hot sandwich Choice or Meal Breaks® Chicken Salad Meal

Schedule:

 Perkins Baptist Church - 3146 Hadensville-Fife Rd, Goochland, 10:45 - 11:00

 County Line Baptist Church - 4070 County Line Rd, Kents Store, 11:15-11:30

 Newline Baptist Church - 4876 Newline Road, Gum Spring, 11:45 - 12:00

 Shady Grove Baptist Church - 3384 Oakland Church Rd, Gum Spring, 12:15-12:30

St. Mark Baptist Church - 4596 Factory Mill Rd, Maidens, 12:40-12:55

Hebron Presbyterian Church - 1040 Shallow Well Rd, Manakin-Sabot, 1:15 - 1:30