July 02, 2015

 

LAWT News Service 

 

 

In partnership with the United States De­partment of Agriculture and the California De­partment of Education, the Los Angeles Coun­ty Department of Parks and Recrea­tion is providing more than 250,000 free lunches and snacks to children across Los Angeles County this summer at 48 County parks and eight non-agency sites.

 

The weekday Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) program is running through Friday, Aug. 7, with lunches served between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and snacks provided between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Exact times vary by location.

 

Created to help reduce the percentage of young people in the United States challenged by obesity and lack of consistent access to nutritious food, SFSP aims to provide a healthy alternative for children while school is out for the summer.

 

Monday through Friday during each week of the program, children 18 years of age and under are invited to receive a nutritious lunch and snack, fare that includes such offerings as sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and healthy dairy products like milk, string cheese and yogurt. In order for participating parks to qualify for the program, they must service areas within the geographical boundaries of an elementary, middle or high school attendance area with at least 50% of its students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

 

Parents or guardians interested in enrolling their children in this free program can call the Los Angeles County Summer Lunch Program Office at (310) 965-8630, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

 

In accordance with Federal Law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write United States Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Indepen­dence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).

Category: Education