By Mollie Beth Wallace
The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — For most parents who dread hearing the question “What’s for lunch?” over and over again during the summer, The Natchez-Adams School District has an answer.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. cafeterias at Frazier Primary, West Primary, McLaurin Elementary and Natchez High schools, Broadmoor Community Center and Magaret Martin gym are filled with hungry children excited for a chance to visit with friends.

The Natchez schools have been receiving state funding for the summer feeding program for more than 30 years.

At Frazier Primary School, cafeteria manager Lucille Butler said she and three other employees stay busy.

Butler said they feed approximately 200 children per day, along with parents and grandparents who sometimes join the fun.

The program follows a nutritional guide outlined by the state that requires each child to receive meat, bread, fruit, vegetables and milk, Butler said.

As the mouth-watering smell of fried chicken spread throughout the cafeteria, third-grader Chandler Turner sat at a table eating with his friends.

Turner said he loves the cafeteria food, even though he doesn’t enjoy some of the healthier sides.

“I don’t like pickles or lettuce,” Turner said. “They taste sour.”

Turner and his classmates were attending the extended summer program at Frazier, which runs through June 29.

Third-grader Keniesha Julian sat across the table from Chandler with a big smile on her face.

Julian said she likes eating lunch with her friends and loves the food.

“My favorites are chicken nuggets and French fries,” she said.

Next to the table of vibrant third-graders, Kenyata Doss sat with her two children, Kentravion Doss, 1, and Jakayla Thomas, 6 months.

Doss said she goes there often to eat with her kids.

“My grandmother used to take us (here) when we were young,” Doss said.

Doss said she enjoys making memories with her children as her grandmother did with her.

At the other end of the room, friends Krystal Nelson and Demetria McNeil visited while their six children laughed and ate.

“Our kids go to school here,” Nelson said. “They give them a flyer at the end of every year that says when (the feeding program) starts.”

Nelson said she marks the date every year so she won’t miss an opportunity for good food.

Nelson’s daughter Taliyah McIntyre said she loves to come and enjoy a good slice of pizza.

Further down the table, Shirley Evans brought Jeremy, 5, and Tremaine, 4, to their first meal at Frazier.

Evans said the first thing she noticed was how well behaved the other children were.

“They were very polite,” she said.

Evans said the feeding program is a great help to parents during the summer who would otherwise be burdened with cooking every day.

Evans said after tasting a hamburger from the cafeteria she plans to become a regular there with Jeremy and Tremaine.

The district’s Food Service Supervisor, Shantoura Spears, said the school district’s goal is to provide nutritious meals to any child who walks through the door.

The Natchez-Adams School district hired 24 workers for the summer feeding program.

The program will continue Monday through Friday at all locations until June 29.

McLaurin will continue to serve meals through July 13.

Meals are free for children under 18, and adults can purchase meals for $3.25.