Before March 14, 2020, circumstances were different and so were priorities: whether it be playing school sports, working out at the local gym, joining various clubs or going out for outings with friends and family. Unfortunately, COVID-19 halted the outdoor plans and initiated a newfound “indoor wave”.
As a result of months quarantining, food from the pantry starts to rapidly deplete. With no face-to-face interaction or any public spaces in vicinity, the majority of the population has shifted to eating at home. Grocery stores, especially those with products from international regions, have shut down due to lack of consumerism. For the primary stores or restaurants that have stayed open, long lines, minimal masks, lack of sanitizers for sale and a general fear of exposure to the virus have prevented many from seeking external sources of food. This restriction poses issues for families that want to strike a balance between nutrition, safety and the viability of constant home-cooked family meals.
To aid students and their families, MCPS provides lunch and dinner meal options for families in the area who want a nutritious meal. MCPS relies on a proportionate meal planning system including proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables so that economically-disadvantaged families get access to the right nutrients during these unprecedented times. Since the Maryland state superintendent denied in-person classes for the first semester, MCPS continues to offer lunch and dinner options for students on school days to keep a lookout for the community. As of June 10, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan has permitted restaurants and necessity stores to start opening up with guidelines. Although this allows more people to obtain food, the transition back to outdoor eating is still far from “normal”.
Article by Amanda Catipon of Northwest High School
Photo by May Pham of Walter Johnson High School