Children in Long Beach can receive free meals, similar to those they enjoy during the school year, Monday through Friday until August 26. Meals are provided by the United States Department of Agriculture and distributed by the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.
The program began in 1979 to “ensure that during the school summer break, children would be able to receive the same well-balanced meals they receive during the school year,” according to a statement from the city.
The Summer Food Service Program for Children has served over two million children in Long Beach, and anyone between the ages of 1 and 18 can receive a free meal. Funding for the Summer Food Service Program for Children comes from the USDA and the California Department of Education.
Meals will be nutritional, often including fruits, vegetables, milk and juice and will be offered at varied times between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. depending on which location residents go to. There are 23 locations throughout Long Beach, all at various parks as well as a meal service location at Signal Hill Park.
To find out what time a specific location will be handing out free meals, call the Summer Food Office at 562-570-3524.
A full list of meal service locations can be found on the City’s website.
