Officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Food Services Division have announced its summer meal services program.
More than 440,603 district students qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many lack nourishment when the school year ends. The Summer Food Service Program ensures that all children continue to benefit during the summer from good nutrition.
“This summer, youngsters may get nutritious meals at no charge at more than 450 locations. They will benefit immediately, and also be ready to learn when they go back to school,” said Dr. Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana, CEO of the district’s Office of Educational Services.
The Food Services Division, in collaboration with the Beyond the Bell Branch, the District’s afterschool program, will operate the summer food program at 341 sites. Anyone between the ages of 1 and 18 may receive free meals.
The District also is partnering with the city of Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks to provide meals for 106 sites. Additionally, the District is partnering with the YMCA of the Metropolitan Los Angeles “Get Summer” initiative to provide meals to participating children at selected locations.
“We want to do everything we can to be there for our students in the summer, just as we are in the regular school year. We know students don’t stop growing and learning in the summer, so Food Services wants to be there continuing to provide access to meals. We are also partnering with the YMCA this year and will be there to provide meals to students to support them during their summer enrichment and physical activities,” said Food Services Interim Co-Director Laura Benavidez.
“The students of L.A Unified are like our children, and their need for healthy nutritious meals doesn’t end when the regular school year ends,” said Food Services Interim Co-Director Timikel Sharpe.
“As child nutrition professionals, we accept the role of providing the thousands of children in the communities around Los Angeles with healthy meals during the summer months. Food insecurity issues continue to grow, and we want to positively affecting the movement to feed hungry children.”
For the majority of participating schools, the summer program runs from June 20 through July 29. Depending on participation, the program may be extended at select schools. The program is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the California Department of Education.
Some of the participating Valley area schools and sites include San Fernando Elementary San Fernando High School and Chavez Learning Academy in San Fernando; Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth; Dyer Elementary and Hubbard Elementary in Sylmar; Broadous Elementary and Haddon Elementary in Pacoima; Arleta High School in Arleta; Canoga Park Elementary and Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park; Woodland Hills Academy in Woodland Hills; Henry Middle School and Kennedy High School in Granada Hills; Fulton Middle School and Columbus Elementary School in Van Nuys; Alta California Elementary and Liggett Elementary in Panorama City; and Northridge Academy and the North Valley YMCA in Northridge.
For a complete list of schools and sites, visit the LAUSD website at www.lausd.net. For more information about the summer food program, contact the Food Services Division at (213) 241-6419 or (213) 241-6422.