Lexington-Richland School District Five has launched a new summer program to provide free, fresh produce to Irmo-area families in need.
A partnership with Pelion-based farm WP Rawl, the district’s new Farmers’ Market initiative will be held at the Irmo Village Apartments Thursdays, June 20 through August 1, excluding July 4.
Each family will receive one free bag of summer produce including a range of cucumbers, collards, sweet corn, squash and tomatoes. Recipes will be included. Produce will vary and will be provided while supplies last each week.
“As a district, we know that there are needs in our community and that continues during the summer months when school is not in session,” said Todd Bedenbaugh, director of student nutrition for the district. “We serve local, fresh foods in cafeterias as often as possible, and we want to get fresh foods to our families this season. We’re grateful to WP Rawl for providing the produce because we know our families in need will benefit from this effort.”
Bedenbaugh said while the district’s Farmers’ Market will have just one site this year, he hopes to expand it in the future.
In addition to the Farmers’ Market, the district also is participating in a Summer Food Service Program again this year.
The program began June 10 and ends August 1. Meals will not be offered during the week of July 1, 2019. All children ages 2-18 are eligible for the service. School District Five served more than 51,000 meals last summer. 2019 Sites include:
Irmo High School (6671 St. Andrews Road, Columbia)
Monday-Thursday
Breakfast: 7:30 am-9 am
Lunch: 11:30 am-1 pm
June 10-August 1
Dutch Fork High School (1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo)
Monday-Thursday
Lunch: 10:30 am-12:30 pm
June 17-August 1
Harbison West Elementary School (257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia)
Monday-Thursday
Breakfast: 8 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 11 am-1:30 pm
June 17-July 25
Edventure Museum (211 Gervais Street, Columbia)
Monday-Friday
Lunch: 11:30 am-1 pm
Snack: 3 pm-3:30 pm
June 10-August 1
Irmo Village Apartments (700 Chipwood Court, Columbia)
Monday-Thursday
Lunch: 1 pm-1:30 pm
June 10-August 1
River Oaks Apartments (5324 Bush River Road, Columbia)
Monday-Thursday
Lunch: Noon-12:30 pm
June 10-August 1
