Latest news with #SUNMeals
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
SUN Meals answer summer hunger pangs
The kids sat at picnic tables at New Chicago's Twin Oaks Park Thursday munching on ham and cheddar submarine sandwiches provided by the food service department at the River Forest Community School Corp. 'They love it,' Britney Bansley said of her three children, Joshua Smith, 8, Cephas Smith, 6, and Evalynn Smith, 4. 'This my first time here because I have a random day off. My babysitter has been bringing them.' Bansley said she likes the program also because if the kids don't finish their meals, they're able to bring them home to eat later. River Forest is one of dozens of Northwest Indiana school districts and charter schools taking part in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's SUN Meals, a free summer nutrition program for children 18-and-under. 'Our kids really need it,' said River Forest food service director Nick Alessandri. 'Thirty-five is a pretty good turnout,' he said of Thursday's attendance at Twin Oaks. 'I definitely think the program is necessary.' Throughout the U.S., various sites, including schools, parks, libraries, and others offer free lunches while school is out to make sure children receive nutritious options. Formerly known as the Summer Food Service Program, it's been around for decades and received a menu update last year by the Biden administration with SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-GO and the new SUN Bucks program. This year, Indiana opted out of the second-year SUN Bucks program, which provides needy families in the Electronic Benefits Transfer program (EBT) with a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school child. Indiana joined the program last year under former Gov. Eric Holcomb, but officials in the Braun administration blamed Holcomb's administration for insufficient planning and funding preparations leaving it unable to fulfill the program's requirements. The SUN Meals program, however, remains unaffected throughout the state. The Twin Oaks Park site is one five sites served by River Forest schools, said Superintendent Kevin Trezak. Twin Oaks is the lone one with a learning component, said New Chicago Park Board vice president Morgan McCabe. On Thursday, the children watched Patricia Riley-Churilla teach common American Sign Language phrases such as family and mother. They also have speakers from the New Chicago-Lake Station Public Library and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. The kids craft art projects on Mondays and last year, they painted park benches, McCabe said. Trezak said the three offsites together are averaging about 85 kids a day. 'These are great numbers for us since the offsite spots are aimed to serve those with transportation needs,' he said. Northwest Indiana is home to multiple free school lunch sites from East Chicago to LaPorte. To find a site, see:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dairy Council of California Joins Forces to Fuel Summer Learning, Nutrition and Fun Across California
June 3 Summer Meals Program Kickoff SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- School may be out, but healthy meals and learning resources are in full swing this summer. As part of its ongoing cause to support the health of children and families, Dairy Council of California is partnering with school districts and local agencies to promote access to nutritious meals through USDA's Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids (SUN Meals) and Non-Congregate Summer Meal Program events. These programs play a critical role in supporting food security for children during the summer months. Dairy Council of California is honored to play a role in the upcoming SUN Meals To-Go event hosted by Lodi Unified School District on June 17 at Lockeford Elementary School, part of a Community Day of Action. This signature event supports the USDA Non-Congregate Summer Meals Program, which provides grab-and-go meals to help ensure children receive nutritious food even when traditional meal sites aren't accessible in rural communities. Dairy Council staff will be onsite volunteering and supporting the day's activities. For more details, visit the Lodi USD Summer Grab & Go School Meals event page or go to 'We see spikes in child hunger in the summer and summer nutrition programs are a lifeline for many families. Our involvement helps ensure these events support not only access to food, but also opportunities to promote lifelong healthy eating patterns and learning,' said Amy DeLisio, CEO of Dairy Council of California. 'June is Dairy Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the vital role milk and dairy foods play in children's health. As a primary source of calcium, milk helps build strong bones and teeth, and it also delivers protein, key vitamins and minerals that support muscle function —building strong bodies and fueling fun all summer long.' Dairy Council of California has already supported summer meal kickoffs in communities across California, including Fontana, Hesperia, Riverside, Rialto, Redlands, Lodi, and Val Verde Unified School Districts, with more events continuing throughout the season. Dairy Council's popular live cow assembly, has appeared at multiple Summer Meal kickoff events, giving students a chance to connect directly with agriculture while learning about where milk comes from and how it supports good health. Each participating summer meal site provides free meals to all children and teens 18 and under. Every meal includes milk, delivering essential nutrition to support children's growth and development. To find a summer meal site nearby, visit the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder at, You may also visit for an overview of all summer meals. To learn more about Dairy Council of California, visit About Dairy Council of California Since 1919, Dairy Council of California has been a trusted nutrition organization committed to elevating the health of children and communities. Through education, advocacy, and multisector collaboration, the organization promotes lifelong healthy eating patterns and advances the role of milk and dairy foods in improving nutrition security and supporting sustainable food systems. With more than a century of experience, Dairy Council of California continues to lead with evidence-based nutrition science, education and strategic partnerships to build healthier communities. Contact: Malynda ParsonsEmail: mparsons@ Phone: 916-633-7533 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free summer meals available for students in Columbus, central Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) —This summer, several central Ohio programs will offer free breakfasts, lunches and dinners for students 18 and under. Starting Monday, the Columbus Metropolitan Library, in partnership with Children's Hunger Alliance, will provide meals at 17 locations. 'Ensuring that our young minds have what they need to succeed extends beyond literacy,' library CEO Lauren Hagan said. 'Students can't focus on their schoolwork if they're hungry. We deeply value the Children's Hunger Alliance for their continued commitment and partnership.' CML-Summer-Meals-Flier_2025Download Columbus Recreation and Parks also offers free, nutritionally balanced meals at its community centers and other locations during the summer. Meals are served to anyone between the ages of 1 and 18, and anyone aged 18 to 21 who has been determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and involved in an independent education program. Families in need can call 866-3-HUNGRY (Español: 877-8-HAMBRE) or text 914-342-7744 with a question that contains a keyword such as 'food,' 'summer,' 'meals,' etc. and receive a text back that will show free meal sites closest to them. Information can be downloaded in English, Spanish and Somali. Visit the website for a map of locations. In addition, Pickerington Local Schools will be serving healthy meals during summer break for children 18 and under. The lunch schedule begins on Monday, June 2, and runs through June 30. No-cost lunches will be available at Tussing Elementary School, 7117 Tussing Road, Mondays through Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration is required, making it a hassle-free experience. 'This program is about ensuring kids have access to nutritious meals even when school isn't in session,' Pickerington Food Service Supervisor Suzie Gerhardt said. 'We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity.' Parents or guardians seeking more information can call PLSD at 614-833-3645, office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit the PLSD website. SUN Meals, a statewide summer food program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is available to children ages 1 through 18 and individuals ages 19 through 21 identified as having mental or physical disabilities and following Individualized Education Programs. Free meals will be served during the summer months at participating program sites. Information is available by calling 1-866-348-6479 or visiting the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
