There’s no doubt that chronic diseases and obesity rates are much higher in low income communities. After all, unhealthy fast food is generally much cheaper than organic produce. However, to reduce the severity of the ever-growing health problems in low income communities, San Diego Unified Food and Nutrition Services is offering federally-funded free and nutritious meals to low income children under the age of 18.
Throughout the summer, more than 300,000 meals and snacks will be distributed to 57 different sites throughout San Diego Unified’s Summer Fun Café. This gives many underprivileged kids the opportunity to feed their bodies and minds for the upcoming school year. Contradictory to what many assume, the overconsumption of unhealthy food doesn’t just affect the body, but also inhibits the learning abilities of students. Thanks to the Summer Fun Café, kids can enjoy their summer and be ready for the school year.
With a good turnout last year, the program is continually working hard to get the word out for their free summer meals program. This way, parents and kids know where to find one of the 57 sites offering a free and healthy meal. The Summer Fun Café is also kickstarting the summer with a free barbecue that will be funded by sponsors Mission Federal Credit Union and San Diego Honda Dealers. The event will be open to parents/guardians and their children on June 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Penn Athletic Field Park. The barbeque will also hold a tremendous community resource fair, fitness camp, circus performance, prize giveaways, and of course, a free barbecue lunch.
Overall, this free meal summer program is thoughtful and beneficial to many families throughout San Diego. More than 70,000 students who rely on free and reduced priced meals in the San Diego Unified School District will now have access to delicious, nutritious food at no cost.
