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Aramark hosts a application drive for Trenton parents to sign up for free and reduced lunches at Grant Elementary School in Trenton on Thursday, August 29, 2013.

(Andrew Miller/For The Times of Trenton)

TRENTON — City children attending after-school programs will be offered free, hot meals for dinner starting in the fall.

Aramark, which has the contract for food service in the city schools, currently offers free breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in the city’s public schools. Aramark General Manager Francisca Sohl said as long as educational after-school programs are offered, students attending will be eligible for the free meal.

“These are home-style hot meals,” said Sohl.

Menu items will include chicken Parmesan made with whole wheat pasta, green beans, meat loaf and collard greens.

“This is going to go a long way for our kids in Trenton,” said board member Sasa Olessi-Montano, who added that many students go home to no dinner or a meal that is not nutritious.

Sohl said the plan is to slowly roll out the program so it is offered in all 22 city schools by the end of next school year. The rollout will begin with elementary and middle schools in October and December.

Aramark does not charge Trenton students because the majority of students in the district are low-income and qualify for free lunches. The food programs are funded by federal grants.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.

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