LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2018  — The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank will launch its 13^th annual Summer Meal Program on Monday, June 4. The program will run until school begins, providing a nutritious lunch to children who would normally access their midday meal at school. To find out how your child can access nutritious food through these programs including details about open and closed distribution sites; service times; income requirements and other guidelines; types of meals offered; and service start/end dates please visit www.lafoodbank.org/summerlunch. Open sites permit any child to access a meal. Registration is required at closed sites.

This year, the Summer Meal Program, which has nearly doubled in size over the past three years due to increasing need, will serve more than 4,000 meals a day at more than 70 distribution sites, including Boys and Girls Clubs, summer schools, community centers, the Salvation Army and some libraries. This includes the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally funded nutrition program for children facing hunger during the summer months.

The Food Bank’s Child Nutrition program provides well-balanced meals and food kits for children facing hunger all year long. Access to healthy food helps prevent nutritional deficiencies that could turn into lifelong health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It also establishes healthy eating habits, and provides the nutrition needed to concentrate and perform well in school. Early access to healthy meals supports strong educational development, which in turn sets kids up for a successful future full of opportunity and promise.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Food Bank is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.