MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified School District

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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified Expands Food Access with Weekend Meals

After advocating that the U.S Department of Agriculture change course on proposed cuts to the federal school lunch program, the San Diego Unified School District will celebrate the expansion of its curbside grab n' go meals program to include breakfast and lunch for the weekend. All students will now be able to receive 14 nutritious meals each week. Students or their parents/guardians are encouraged to visit any of the 81 meal pick-up locations throughout the district from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to receive their breakfast and lunch. An extra breakfast and lunch to save for the weekend will be provided on Thursdays and Fridays, beginning this week. The district Food & Nutrition Services Department had previously been providing these extra weekend meals during the summer, however due to certain waivers having not been extended by the USDA, those meals were suspended. At the urging of San Diego Unified leaders and legislators, including Congresswoman Susan Davis and Congressmen Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, the waivers have been restored to bring back weekend meals through Dec. 31, 2020, or as long as current funding allows. District leaders continue to urge the USDA to fully fund these extensions so that students have access to these important meals throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHAT: Grab 'n Go meal distribution for San Diego Unified students as district leaders celebrate the return of weekend meals


WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, noon to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Sherman Elementary School, 301 22nd St., San Diego, CA 92102

DETAILS: San Diego School Board Vice President Richard Barrera, Board Member Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, and Food Service Director Gary Petill will be available to talk to media

PHOTOS/VISUALS: Families driving through/walking up to pick up meals, Fern Street Circus performances

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Extra meal boxes and fresh produce provided by Feeding San Diego, San Diego Food Bank and the USDA are available at sites on a rotating basis. Fern Street Circus will be performing at select curbside grab n' go meal locations for the next several weeks. Schedules for these as well as a full list of curbside grab n' go meal locations can be found on www.sandiegounified.org<http://www.sandiegounified.org>.

MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee (619) 381-7930

*This event is for professional journalists. Please confirm your attendance in advance.

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