TAMPA, Fla. — Starting Monday, thousands of additional Hillsborough County students will be able to get a fresh meal before they head home from school.

Fifteen additional schools will now be taking part in the county’s after-school meals program. That brings the total number of schools offering a free supper to 190 in Hillsborough County.

In order to adhere to USDA guidelines, each meal includes a grain, protein, fruit, vegetable and milk. The program is paid for through the USDA child and adult care food program.

For a school to be eligible to offer the free after-school meal, at least 50% of its students must qualify for free or reduced price lunch. The 15 Hillsborough County schools recently added to the program just surpassed that 50% threshold.

“In our economy that’s still suffering from the side effects of COVID, we have many families that just can’t afford nutritious foods at home,” said Shani Hall, director of student nutrition services. “They’re struggling paying their bills. So we look for any ways we can offer nutritious foods for kids to help them grow and learn.”

The meals are offered to any student at an eligible school who is taking part in an after-school enrichment program or tutoring at no cost to the parent.

Additional schools receiving after-school meals starting April 1:

• Alafia Elementary School
• Bloomingdale High School 
• Boyette Springs Elementary School
• Buckhorn Elementary School
• Cimino Elementary School
• Collins PreK-8 School
• Dawson Elementary School
• Lutz K-8 School
• MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet School
• Mulrennan Middle School
• Riverview High School
• Robinson High School
• Schwarzkopf Elementary School 
• Sickles High School 
• Turner/Bartels K-8 School

Pinellas County schools offer a similar program and serves roughly 2,300 after-school meals each day.