Good health serves as the foundation for overall well-being, beginning with consuming nourishing food. When children maintain good health, they gain the capacity to learn, engage in play and make meaningful contributions to society as they age. However, when access to nutritious food is limited, food insecurity persists. Within our community, the challenge of consuming healthy, balanced meals is particularly pronounced for approximately one in every four children who face uncertainty regarding their next meal.

For these children, the consequences of hunger extend beyond mere physical discomfort. A hungry child finds it difficult to concentrate and thrive academically, consistently achieving lower scores than their well-fed peers. To address this issue and ensure that food-insecure children in Los Angeles County have access to the nourishment they require for optimal growth, learning, and overall well-being, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank implements various Children’s Nutrition Programs, including Free Summer Meals.

Related: Five Ways the LA Regional Food Bank Fights Child Hunger

The summer hunger gap refers to a period during summer break when school-aged children, who rely on school meals, face increased food insecurity. Without access to regular meals, children from low-income families are at risk of going hungry and experiencing negative impacts on their health and academic performance. Various organizations, including the Food Bank, implement summer meal programs to address this gap and provide nutritious food to children in need. The Food Bank offers a Free Summer Meal Program this season at various locations.

Children and their families can anticipate the following food items (but are not limited to) during the program.

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In previous years, menu items have included: 

Breakfast Menu*: 

• Whole grain bagel with cream cheese, apple or pear and 1% white milk
• Cranberry oatmeal round, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Apple cinnamon  muffin flat, orange/tangerine and 1% white milk
• Froot Loops with WG Bites, banana and 1% white milk
• Mini Wowbutter sandwich, apple or pear and 1% white milk
• Pineapple empanada, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Mantecada Sweet Bread, apple and 1% white milk
• Cinnamon Delight, orange/tangerine and 1% white milk
• Frosted Flakes with WG Granola, banana and 1% white milk
• Mango bar, apple or pear and 1% white milk
• Pan Dulce, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Coffee cake, apple and 1% white milk
• Strawberry muffin, orange/tangerine and 1% white milk
• Apple Jacks with WG Bites, banana and 1% white milk
• Whole grain bagel with cream cheese, apple or pear and 1% white milk
• Yogurt Parfait with berries and granola, apple and 1% white milk
• Apple cinnamon muffin flat, orange/tangerine and 1% white milk

Lunch Menu*: 

• Baked Ziti with meat sauce, banana and 1% white milk
• Chicken tamale with mixed vegetables, orange/tangerine and fat free chocolate milk
• Chicken nuggets and oven-baked fries with baked chips, peach and fat free chocolate milk
• Cheese lasagna with marinara sauce and WG Cheez Its, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Chicken salad sandwich with cucumber slices and Tajin, banana and 1% white milk
• Rib-a-que sandwich with broccoli side salad, orange/tangerine, fat free chocolate milk
• Chicken burrito bowl with rice, beans and corn, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Turkey and cheese sandwich with baby carrots, peach and fat free chocolate milk
• Cheeseburger with oven-baked fries, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Chicken alfredo with broccoli and mini muffin, banana and 1% white milk
• Bean and cheese burrito with salsa cup, orange/tangerine and fat free chocolate milk
• Chicken patty burger with oven-baked fries, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Turkey chili with beans and baked chips, peach and fat free chocolate milk
• Turkey, ham and cheese croissant and veggie dipper, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk
• Beef and bean nachos with tortilla chips, 100% fruit juice and 1% white milk

By donating to our cause, you can help the Food Bank and our partners provide nutritious meals to those in need, including Children’s Nutrition Programs mentioned here. Together, we can break the cycle of food insecurity and create a healthier, brighter future for our community. Every donation counts and brings us one step closer to a place where no child goes to bed hungry. Donate today and be part of the solution!

*Menu subject to change without notice

Breakfast includes one entree, fruit and fat free milk or 1% white milk

Lunch includes one entree, fruit and fat free milk or 1% white milk