MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP -- It's important for kids to eat healthy, and some kids are getting the opportunity to do exactly that this summer.

At North Star Academy in Marquette Township, it's the first day of the Summer Food Program.  It's provided by a licensed childcare center which also runs the before and after care programs during the school year.

"We've been running a summer program in Marquette County for over ten years," said Program Coordinator Shelley Young.  "We provide childcare services for school-age children."

"Anyone up to age 18, any child, can come here for free lunch," said North Star Academy CEO Karen Anderson.  "There's no paperwork required.  We just want to know the numbers earlier in the morning, and they can come in and have lunch."

It's helpful for families with no increase in budget who have to provide meals for their children during the summer that would have usually been taken care of by the school during the school year.

Homemade breads, veggies, and other nutritious foods are provided by Lawry's Pasties.