Food Services

Welcome to the Hopkinton Food Service Department

Food Service Director: Michelle Babin RD, LDN, SNS

mbabin@hopkinton.k12.ma.us      (508) 417-9394

 

COVID19 FOOD RESOURCES

Food Services Director, Michelle Babin, is prepared to support students who qualify for free and reduced lunch during this difficult time. The Hopkinton Food Service Department is working in conjunction with Project Just Because (PJB) to assist other families and community members who may need access to meals.  Students and families requiring meals should reach out to Ms. Babin directly at mbabin@hopkinton.k12.ma.us for further details.   If you have another trusted adult in the school system, you may also ask that person to connect you to the Food Service Director.

Project Just Because is the Town of Hopkinton’s Food Pantry and also a gluten free pantry. PJB intends to remain open during this public health crisis from 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday through Thursday. Please call to verify hours at 508-435-6511 or to arrange delivery for those unable to come to the pantry.  A PJB volunteer will assist ALL residents, including senior citizens, in getting items that are needed to help with all meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

PJB is able to offer both perishable and non-perishable foods, pet food, toiletries, personal hygiene items, clothing, paper goods and games/books/arts & crafts. They have the infrastructure, staffing and training to support the community with all of these needs in addition to practicing safe social distancing, translation services and delivery to the homebound. PJB also has protocols in place to deliver to the homebound including those that are quarantined.  No one is ever turned away, no questions are asked and privacy is a top concern. Anyone may stop over to select items or call/email requests; Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, 109 South St. Hopkinton, MA

Other Resources:

• Hopkinton Youth & Family Services  508-497-9781
• Hopkinton Senior Center.  508-497-9730

Families have asked how they might help.  We have opened a financial donation center for the public schools.  Please visit MySchoolBucks to make donations to the Lunch Heroes.  This new program has been initiated to help students and families that struggle to purchase a nutritious school lunch.  The Lunch Heroes program is a way for individuals to make donations to support students when they no longer have the funds to do so.  Please login to your MySchoolBucks account and select School Store from the top right or use the express button below.

The Hopkinton Food Service Department is led by Food Service Director, Michelle Babin. Michelle is a licensed Registered Dietitian and School Nutrition Specialist with a BS in Culinary Nutrition. She comes to Hopkinton most recently from the Spencer- East Brookfield Regional School District and prior to that worked for the Sutton School District both in the role of School Nutrition Director. She has a true passion and dedication for the nutrition and culinary fields.

The Hopkinton Public Schools Food Service Department takes pride in preparing and serving nutritious meals to our students. We believe that students learn better when they’re not hungry. As such, the following meal and collection guidelines have been developed for Paid and Reduced-price students in order for the lunch program to continue operating in a fiscally responsible manner:

• Once a student account has reached a negative balance an email is sent weekly notifying parents of their negative balance.  A list of students with negative balances will also be provided to the principal’s office weekly.
• Students will NOT be allowed to charge desserts, snacks, milk or any other a la carte items if they have a negative balance that exceeds these guidelines.
• The food service manager will contact the parent or guardian once the balance reaches a negative $10.  The Food Service Director will contact the parent or guardian once the balance reaches a negative $50. 

Parents or guardians are encouraged to apply for a Free and Reduced Lunch under the federal government’s guidelines. Applications are available on the District’s website.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please contact the Food Service Department @508-417-9394 if you have any questions about these guidelines.