The newest twist to the popular summer event is a weekly culinary series headlined by internationally recognized chefs such as José Andrés and Art Smith. Each event held at Waterview Park at Disney Springs features a noted chef or prominent restaurant owner who will stage a culinary experience that spotlights some of their most popular dishes and drinks, including many that will be on the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida menu.

Andrés, the culinary innovator who operates over 35 restaurants, including Jaleo by José Andrés at Disney Springs, kicked off the series at Jaleo on June 20 by revealing his famous recipe for paella. The next featured restaurants in the series are Wine Bar George (July 7), The Polite Pig (July 14), Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (July 21), Gideon’s Bakehouse (July 28), and the final event hosted by acclaimed Disney chefs on August 4. All remaining events will take place at Waterview Park.

There is no admission charge to the culinary events (guests just need to register to attend at www.disneysprings.com/culinaryseries. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample the dishes as well as interact with the chefs.

Between the culinary series events, guests can experience menu items with a Florida twist at various Disney Springs establishments starting July 1.  For instance, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will offer Florida shrimp tacos featuring Florida jerk marinated Gulf shrimp, watermelon-avocado pico de gallo, jalapeño, corn tortilla and lime.

The Edison is concocting a cocktail called the Sunny Disposition, which combines Florida cane vodka from St. Augustine with Florida-grown tangelos, strawberries and grapefruit. And at Enzo’s Hideaway, they are whipping up a Creamsicle Coppa, a delicious dessert that pays homage to warm Florida summers with its orange sorbet, vanilla gelato, white chocolate crunchy pearls and whipped cream.

Disney Springs is a one-of-a-kind retail, dining and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort. With beautiful open-air promenades and lakefront views reminiscent of Florida waterfront towns at the turn of the 20th century, the area features more than 150 shops and restaurants, including top-name retail brands, specialty boutiques and dining experiences created by celebrity and award-winning chefs.

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As it did during the Winter break last year, Osceola County Commissioners are stepping up to help by allocating more than $90,000 to provide FIT students with a $50 gift card to fight food insecurity.

“Our Commission has pledged to fight food insecurity and a large part of that is making sure that our children never have to worry about being able to have regular meals,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “I am thankful we can work with the School District to once again help these vulnerable families and provide this assistance during Spring Break.”

Commission Vice Chairwoman Viviana Janer spearheaded the effort to help students since visiting a local elementary school last year.

“As evidenced by the increasing number of families in the FIT Program, the needs in our community are still great. The increased food insecurity during the break is a real situation and this action will help relieve some stress on families already dealing with so many issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Janer. “Once again the Board finds itself in a position to support this effort because of available funding, and I am pleased we can provide dollars to ease the burdens these families may be experiencing.”

According to the School District, the Families in Transition program operates in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; reauthorized as Title IX of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in July 2016. This legislation requires that all children, including preschool age, experiencing homelessness have the same rights to a free and appropriate public education as housed children. Homeless children include those who lack a fixed, regular, adequate night-time residence, including those living in hotels and motels.

Condado Osceola Nuevamente Proveerá Apoyo de Inseguridad Alimentaria para el Programa de Familias en Transición del Distrito Escolar de Osceola

Condado Osceola, Florida – Las vacaciones de primavera son un oasis en el programa educativo — una oportunidad para recargar baterías antes del último tramo del final del año escolar. Pero para aproximadamente 2,000 estudiantes, significa quedarse sin desayuno y almuerzo gratis proporcionado por el Programa de Familias en Transición (FIT) del Distrito Escolar del Condado Osceola.

Como lo hizo durante las vacaciones de invierno el año pasado, los comisionados del Condado Osceola asignaron más de $90,000 para darles a los estudiantes de FIT una tarjeta de regalo de $50 para ayudar a combatir la inseguridad alimentaria.

“Nuestra comisión se ha comprometido a luchar contra la inseguridad alimentaria y una gran parte de eso es asegurarnos de que nuestros niños nunca tengan que preocuparse de tener comida regularmente,” dijo el presidente de la Comisión de Osceola, Brandon Arrington. “Estoy agradecido de que podamos trabajar con el Distrito Escolar para nuevamente ayudar a más familias vulnerables y brindarles esta asistencia durante las vacaciones de primavera.”

La vicepresidenta de la Comisión, Viviana Janer, encabezó el esfuerzo para ayudar a los estudiantes desde que visitó una escuela primaria local el año pasado.

“Como lo demuestra el crecimiento de familias en el programa FIT, las necesidades en nuestra comunidad siguen siendo grandes. El aumento de la inseguridad alimentaria durante las vacaciones es una situación real y esta acción ayudará a aliviar el estrés de las familias que ya están lidiando con muchos problemas provocados por la pandemia de COVID-19,” dijo Janer. “Una vez más, la Junta se encuentra en posición de apoyar este esfuerzo debido a los fondos disponibles, y me complace que podamos proporcionar dólares para aliviar las cargas que estas familias están experimentando.”

Según el Distrito Escolar, el programa Familias en Transición está de acuerdo con la Ley de Asistencia para Personas sin Hogar McKinney-Vento; reautorizado como Título IX de la Ley Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) en julio de 2016. Esta legislación requiere que todos los niños, incluyendo los de edad preescolar, sin hogar, tengan los mismos derechos a una educación pública gratuita y adecuada que los niños con hogares. Los niños sin hogar incluyen a aquellos que carecen de una residencia nocturna fija, regular y adecuada, incluyendo los que viven en hoteles y moteles.

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