Sometimes the only healthy meal a disadvantaged youth may consume is a free/reduced-price meal offered at school during the academic year. With winter break around the corner, Fresno EOC Food Services is getting ready to provide free meals to all kids ages 1-18.
“We live the ‘agricultural capital of the world’,” says Jon Escobar, Fresno EOC Food Services Director. “It’s unacceptable that Fresno County Children are going hungry. The Winter Food Services Program is an opportunity for us to provide youth who rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the school year with a nutritious meal during their winter break from school.”
According to California Food Policy Advocates data, 84,000 children residing in Fresno County live in poverty and are eligible to participate in Winter Food Services Program.
The meals – which are prepared and provided by Fresno EOC Food Services – meet strict United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and California Department of Education (CDE) nutrition guidelines and are comprised of two ounces of protein, two servings of fruits/vegetables, one serving of bread, and eight ounces of milk.
This is the third year for Fresno EOC to administer the Winter Food Services Program. Winter Food Services Program sites are located in areas where 50% or more of the children attending the local elementary school qualify for and receive no-cost or reduced-price meals.
In Winter of 2018, Fresno EOC launched the Food Express Bus as a mobile cafeteria for children in Fresno. The Food Express Bus has a route throughout Fresno aimed to take food to places where children gather.
View Fresno EOC sites with the dates and times meals will be served at each site. Most sites are open December 16, 2019 through January 3, 2020. Please note that all sites are closed on 12/25 and 1/1 for holidays.