PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – For the 44th year in a row, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program to provide free, nutritious meals to Long Beach children and youth over the summer months.

“The Summer Food Service Program offers Long Beach youth continued access to nutritious meals when school is out for summer,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We’re proud to continue this longstanding food equity service for our younger generation so they can stay healthy and thrive.”

Beginning June 20 through August 25, PRM will provide free meals for children and youth Monday through Friday, with times varying at each site between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (excluding Tuesday, July 4). Meals will be available to all attending children and youth between 1 and 18 years old. Infant meals will not be provided. Meals will consist of well-balanced, nutritious options and will include cold components such as milk, juice, fruits and vegetables. To participate, eligible youth can simply arrive at a participating location during the designated times; no registration required. Meals must be consumed on site at the location.

This year, the Summer Food Service Program will operate at 23 locations throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill. The full list of locations where meals will be provided is available here or by calling the Summer Food Office at 562.570.3524.

The Summer Food Service Program began in Long Beach in 1979 and has since provided more than two million meals to children and teens, ages 1 to 18 years. The program was established to ensure that during the school summer break, children would be able to receive the same well-balanced meals they receive during the school year.

The Summer Food Service Program for Children is funded through USDA and administered by the California Department of Education.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 166 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) is recognized for excellence in management practices and programs, having received the National Parks and Recreation Association Gold Medal Award four times. PRM provides leisure programs and services to residents and visitors, which improve the quality of life in Long Beach. PRM maintains 166 parks with 26 community centers, 320 acres of open space and 6.1 miles of beaches; implements the City's Open Space Plan; provides recreational opportunities to meet diverse community needs; maintains public marinas; and provides for public safety and the humane treatment of animals.

For more information about the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine, visit longbeach.gov/park. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.