San Diego Unified Schools Transform into Meal and Nutrition Hubs for Summer

Schools in the San Diego Unified School District will join local YMCAs, military sites, public libraries, parks & recreation centers, and other neighborhood organizations as meal distribution centers this summer, providing access to healthy food for children and teens in need. The Summer Meal Program runs from June 10 through Aug. 2, offering free breakfast and lunch for anyone ages 18 and under, as well as nutrition education resources, activities, and food benefits to help families purchase groceries.   

"When school is out for summer break, a large number of kids lose access to the healthy meals they rely on during the school year," said San Diego Unified Food and Nutrition Services Director Alicia Pitrone Hauser, in a statement. "Summer meals ensure all children have consistent access to the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow — and this makes children be better prepared to start another school year."

"Summer can be the hungriest time of year for families experiencing food insecurity," commented Bob Kamensky, CEO of nonprofit food distribution organization Feeding San Diego. "Our summer meal programs aim to get nutritious food out into the community where it's needed most. We rely on strong partnerships with schools, libraries, and rec centers — all fundamental gathering places for parents across the county — to ensure that parents have access to no-cost groceries and meals." 

The Summer Meals Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Children do not need to be San Diego Unified students to participate and there are no registration requirements or paperwork required.

For more information, visit the San Diego Unified site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).