Craig Howell
MEETING — Hancock County Schools Director of Child Nutrition Steve Govey addresses members of the county school board during their meeting Monday. Govey reported, despite challenges resulting from worldwide supply chain issues, the school system continues to provide nutritious meals for its students.
NEW CUMBERLAND — While issues with worldwide supply chains have affected many areas of the nation’s economy, Hancock County Schools officials want to assure residents they are not preventing students from receiving nutritious meals.
During Monday’s meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education, Steve Govey, director of child nutrition, responded to concerns he said had been raised on social media as to whether food would be available for school breakfasts and lunches.
“We’ve been pretty fortunate in Hancock County Schools,” Govey said.
Govey explained while some food items, and even serving trays, haven’t always been available, the schools have worked to make sure there is still plenty of food for all students as part of school-provided meals.
When regular serving trays haven’t been available, carryout trays have been used, he said.
As for food, Govey said substitutions have been made in some instances, or serving sizes have been adjusted, in the event particular food items haven’t been available. The menus offered continue to be in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, he said.
Upon questioning by the board, Govey said the county’s middle and high schools continue to offer two options for an entrée, vegetable and fruit at least Monday through Thursday. On Friday, there may only be one option.
Govey noted he has been visiting all of the county’s schools, making particular note of one recent visit to show the availability of food.
“At the end of the third lunch, they had plenty of food and were able to offer seconds,” he said.
Govey reported, in the event changes are made, he has worked to alert the principals, cooks and nurses at each school.
Board member Michelle Chappell reported she recently had spoken with an official with the National Dairy Council, who spoke highly of the work performed by Govey and Hancock County Schools to make sure students are fed.
(Howell can be contacted at [email protected], and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)
