Summer program will provide 4.5-million free meals to L.A. students

Posted in: Education |
Summer program will provide 4.5-million free meals to L.A. students

Los Angeles Unified announced plans Thursday to provide roughly 4.5-million lunches over the summer break to more thanĀ 520,000 students who typically qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Called the “Food That’s In, When School Is Out” program, the district’s food services division will serve the free meals at 317 school sites this summer in addition to 105 city recreation and park centers from June 9 to Aug. 8, officials said.

A $25,000 grant from Walmart through the National Recreation and Park Assn. will provide staffing to educate children on healthy eating habits through lessons and games.

“Students may now enjoy a summer of health and education,” said Matthew Sharp, senior advocate with the California Food Policy Advocates.

Meals include a range of fruit from raisins to apples, turkey sandwiches, sunflower seeds and water. L.A. Regional Food Bank Chief Executive Michael Flood said the federally funded program also allows food to be purchased locally, such as oranges delivered from San Bernardino County.

Source publication: LA Times