Osseo Area Schools Expands Their Reach with a Summer Food Truck

Universal school meals are a big help to the hunger-relief network in Minnesota because they keep kids fed during school hours. But how do schools make sure students receive the same nutritious food when classes aren’t in session over the summer? 

For Osseo Area Schools, one of the solutions was to hit the road.

The Summer Food Service Program allows kids of all ages to eat meals and snacks during the summer at no cost in schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. Osseo Area Schools—a district made up of 27 schools, serving almost 21,000 students—received a $100,000 grant from Second Harvest Heartland to purchase and build out a food truck. This food truck is helping the suburban Twin Cities district serve more communities and expand food access in underserved neighborhoods. 

The Osseo Area Schools Nutrition Department is also partnering with local organizations to increase the impact of meals distributed by the food truck. “Summer is time when we are actually able to really connect with the community,” explains Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition Services Irfan Chaudhry. “Because our focus isn't just on schools—it goes to parks, community centers, churches, or wherever else that we have the opportunity to connect and form a partnership and then serve [meals].”

Irfan Chaudhry (right) standing in front of the food truck with Second Harvest Heartland Community Partnerships Grants Specialist Bri O’Brien

The food truck allows meals to be distributed in the surrounding communities, having a massive impact on Osseo Area Schools’ students and addressing food insecurity in the area. “In terms of demographics, we want to make sure that we get into all different parts of the district,” says Irfan. “We were a little bit taken aback when COVID hit because we realized that we were [providing food] in certain parts of town where we never thought that people would be coming in needing food. So, the need does exist and really our primary philosophy is it's not just feeding the kids in the schools, it’s doing what we can to help the community.”

The food truck is set up to serve both hot and cold meals

Along with helping to fund a portion of the purchase and construction of the food truck, Second Harvest Heartland is also helping to fund adult meals so the whole family can enjoy a meal from the food truck. “A lot of the parents would come with the kids and then you’d tell them ‘Federal regulations only allow for meals at no cost to kids 18 years old or under.’ Second Harvest Heartland gives us the flexibility where we are able to expand our service and clientele,” Irfan says.

Next summer, Irfan hopes to grow the reach of the food truck by working with other organizations, such as local libraries, and other cities.

“This is just the beginning."