Summer meals provided to low-income famlies

Low-income families in California will have access to meals for their hungry children this summer through a state program, according to education officials.

Here are the links for summer lunches in Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, and Santa Clara County.

The 2015 Summer Meal Service Sites interactive map provides information on where those meals can be obtained or you can call 800-952-5609 and select option 3.

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson said the Summer Food Service Program is designed to keep kids healthy and engaged in learning during the summer, by providing nutritious meals.

“Only one in five low-income children who eat subsidized meals during the school year are taking advantage of the summer meal program, meaning a lot of kids are unnecessarily going hungry this summer,” said Torlakson. “I urge families to use this free service so their children will have access to the healthy, fresh food they need to grow, learn, and succeed in school.”

Torlakson said the meal service is part of his Summer Matters program, which works to prevent kids from lagging behind once school starts back up again.