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Ag Commissioner Putnam launches free summer nutrition program

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced the start of a summer nutrition program Tuesday. It's called Summer BreakSpot, and it allows low income students to receive free nutritious meals during the Summer at thousands of locations throughout Florida.

During the school year, more than 1.6 million students receive free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. Florida Department of Agriculture Spokesman Sterling Ivey says when school is out, those same students can now get a free healthy meal at more than 2500 locations throughout the state.

“It can keep the momentum of feeding children during the school year at a time when they may not have access to a breakfast or a lunch or a fresh breakfast or a fresh lunch,” said Ivey.

The Florida Department of Agriculture partnered with thousands of community organizations and schools to offer the free meals, which are available for kids and teens 18 and under. For more information on the program or the locations, parents can call 2-1-1 or visit www.summerfoodflorida.org.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.