Modesto City Schools adds traveling farmers market to summer free lunch program
Modesto City Schools is expanding its free summer lunch program with a weekly traveling farmers market on Wednesdays through July 1 at the sites already providing students free summer lunches. The summer lunch program itself runs through July 31.
“Summer should be a time for children to grow, play and thrive, not worry about where their next meal will come from,” Pearl Lo, the district’s senior director of nutrition services, stated in a press release. “By combining free meals with fresh produce and nutrition education, we’re helping families access healthy foods and support student well-being throughout the summer.”
The program will be paused on June 19 and July 3 in honor of Juneteenth and July Fourth. The free summer lunches are available on weekdays, and no verification or ID is required for children to receive them. Kids must consume the food on site.
The program has been in place since 1995, serving approximately 400 students a day. This summer, the district’s program coincides with the Department of Education’s Farm to Summer Celebration week from June 16-20. On June 17, the district’s nutritional services is planning to serve summer squash as a part of an effort to introduce their kids to locally grown, seasonal produce and healthy eating.
Meal location and distribution sites are:
• Coffee-Claratina Park: 4400 Highlights Way, 10:45-11 a.m.
• Davis Park: 2701 College Ave., 11:45 a.m.-noon
• Downey Park: 1200 Brighton Ave., 10:45-11 a.m.
• Dryden Park-Boys & Girls Club: 925 Sunset Ave., 12:20-12:35 p.m.
• East La Loma Park: 2001 Edgebrook Drive, 12:20-12:35 p.m.
• Everett Park: 1548 Mount Vernon Dr., 12:15-12:30 p.m.
• Fairview Park: Modoc and Tucson Ave., 11:15-11:30 p.m.
• George Rogers Park: 1650 Hillside Drive, 12:55-1:10 p.m.
• Maddux Youth Center: 615 Sierra Drive, 10:55-11:10 a.m.
• Mancini Park: 1204 River Road, 12:20-12:35 p.m.
• Mark Twain Park: 1201 California Ave., 12:15-12:30 p.m.
• Marshall Park: 440 Sutter Ave., 11:40 a.m.-noon
• Pine Ridge Apartments: 1301 Richland Ave., 11:50-12:05 p.m.
• Red Shield Center: 1649 Las Vegas St., 10:45-11 a.m.
• Riverside Park: 420 N. Riverside Drive, 11:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
• Roosevelt Park: 801 W Orangeburg Ave., 1-1:15 p.m.
• Shackelford Elementary: 100 School Ave., 11:15-11:30 a.m.
• Sharp Park: 1900 Torrid Ave., 12:55-1:10 p.m.
• Sonoma Park: 1316 McGuire Drive, 11:15-11:30 a.m.
• St. Salazar Park: 2017 St. Salazar Circle, 11:45 a.m.-noon
• Sunrise Village: 433 S. Seventh St., 10:40-10:55 a.m.
• Triangle (Crommelin) Park: 2400 Crommelin Ave., 12:45-1 p.m.
• Wesson Ranch Park: 1001 W Union Ave., 11:15-11:30 a.m.
