Long Beach is once again offering free meals this summer to youngsters, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program.
Starting this week through Aug. 22, the city and school district will offer meals at parks, libraries and school buildings to children in need.
The city will offer lunches at 24 parks and libraries, Monday through Friday. (Hours depend on the location. See a full list here.)
Anyone age 18 and under — and anyone who is disabled — can get the free meals. There are no tickets to hand in or forms to fill out.
Separately, the Long Beach Unified School District is offering its version of the program at 42 locations. (Most serve breakfast between 8 and 8:30 a.m. and lunch between 11:30 a.m. and noon.) To be eligible for these meals, children must be enrolled in the School Age Care or WRAP during the specific sessions.
A typical meal, which must meet strict USDA nutrition requirements, includes a sandwich, a fruit, vegetables, milk and a dessert item. Infant meals will not be provided, and lunches must be eaten in the designated eating area.
The summer months can be some of the most difficult for families who rely on federally subsidized school meals to provide for their children. In the Long Beach Unified School District, more than one-third of students are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
Typically, the summer lunch program is sponsored by public or private schools, city or county park and recreation agencies or private, nonprofit community organizations, often in conjunction with an existing summer recreation or education program for children. The idea is to bring the food where children congregate.
Established nearly 50 years ago, the Summer Food Service Program was created to ensure that low-income children would receive at least one nutritious meal a day when the National School Lunch Program, which offers free and reduced-price meals during the school year, is not operating.
About 40,000 children use the city program each summer, according to city spokesperson Jane Grobaty.
“Every child deserves the nourishment they need to grow, learn and thrive—even when school is out,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program has been a vital service, ensuring our young residents have access to wholesome meals and supporting our community’s health and wellbeing.”