Staff Reports
For many kids in Florida, summer is a carefree time of hiding from the scorching sun in a pool or a shaded hammock.
But, as a growing area of study shows, summer is the season when the country’s most underprivileged students begin to fall behind their peers, as access to publicly funded meals and stimulation evaporates.
Hoping to stem the tide of the “summer slide,” several Florida lawmakers are joining others in holding “farm share” events intended to provide surplus food to families who can’t afford the cost of extra meals over the summer.
Democratic Sen. Darren Soto and Rep. John Cortes, for instance, will partner with the Farm Share organization to provide “fresh produce, shelf-stable goods and other food supplies, all free of charge” this Saturday, June 11. The event will start at 9 a.m. and run until 2 p.m.
According to the Senate Democratic office, roughly 71 percent of students in Osceola County and 64 percent of students in Orange County who would otherwise be eligible for free or reduced school meals are affected. Both counties are in the lawmaking duo’s districts.
The father-son team of Sen. Jack Latvala and Rep. Chris Latvala is also getting in on the spirit of giving ahead of summer.
The Clearwater Republicans will host an event with Farm Share to distribute food at the St. Petersburg College Clearwater campus. The event is set for Saturday, June 25 from 9 a.m. until noon.
