Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is hosting it’s 5th Summer Block Party in the Kingdom, a free community event, on June 20 from 3 PM to 6 PM at Gardner Park in Newport. The event marks the start of GMFTS’ summer meal program, the Lunchbox food truck, and will feature free meals for kids 18 and younger, along with family-friendly games and activities, including a bounce house, seed planting, face painting and more.

Hosted in partnership with Newport Parks & Recreation, over ten community partners will join the event, including Hunger Free Vermont, Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, and the Vermont National Guard. WIC participants can sign in at the Upper Kingdom Food Access table to try a snack and receive credit for a nutrition activity.

The Lunchbox, operated in partnership with the Abbey Food Service Group, is a 10-week summer meal program, offering free, locally-sourced meals throughout the summer in Newport, Barton, and Derby. See the full Lunchbox schedule and sign up for updates here.

“We’re excited to bring back the Summer Block Party because its a chance to promote the Lunchbox and connect with our community,” said Amrita Parry, outreach coordinator with GMFTS, “this program is an important component of work connecting farms, schools, and communities around food and education.”

The event is free and open to the public thanks to support from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Northeast Kingdom Fund and the Stony Point Foundation.

“We hope to see the whole community come out and enjoy a fun afternoon,” says Catherine Cusack, executive director of GMFTS.

For more information on the Summer Block Party visit https://www.facebook.com/events/405651800031096/