(Fresno, CA) – Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) will be deploying the Food Express Bus to deliver healthy meals to kids during the pandemic. The Food Express Bus will stop at five locations throughout the City of Fresno starting April 6. This route will remain operating until the emergency pandemic orders are lifted.
LOCATIONS AND TIMES
FREE grab-and-go meals for kids starting April 6! Meals are for kids ages 1-18. Kids do not need to be present to receive meals. We encourage just one family member come to pick up all meals when possible. Meals are provided Monday through Friday at the following five locations:
Mental Health Systems
2550 W. Clinton Ave., Fresno 93705
10:05 am – 11:05 am
Manchester Mall
3636 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno, 93726
11:14 am – 12:14 pm
Franciscan Mobile Estates
2317 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, 93725
12:58 pm – 1:58 pm
Hacienda Mirabella
2705 S. M.L.K. Blvd., Fresno 93706
2:06 pm – 3:06 pm
Legacy Commons Apartments
2255 S. Plumas St., Fresno 93706
3:10 pm – 4:10 pm
Need more information? Call (559) 266-3663
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“We are proud to provide meals to kids that are home because of the pandemic,” says Jon Escobar, Fresno EOC Food Services director. “We know many families are struggling and our hope is that these healthy meals provide some relief.”
According to California Food Policy Advocates 2019 data, 111,000 kids residing in Fresno County are food insecure. When school is not in session, these children miss out on access to nutritious meals that combat hunger, food insecurity and help prevent obesity.
The Food Express Bus is a renovated school bus that launched last year as a mobile cafeteria for children in Fresno County. During the pandemic, meals will be delivered by the Food Express Bus and available for families to grab and go. We encourage just one family member to come to pick up the meals when possible. Kids do not need to be present to receive the meals.
The meals are prepared and provided by Fresno EOC Food Services and meet strict USDA and CDE nutrition guidelines. The meals include two ounces of protein, two servings of fruits/vegetables, one serving of bread, and eight ounces of milk. Meals will be made available to all children, 18 years of age and younger. No documentation or registration is required. Additional precautions and safety measures have been taken to ensure staff and client safety during the pandemic. Fresno EOC does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Fresno EOC began administering food through the Summer Food Service Program in 1991 with only two sites. In 2019 the program distributed food to 108 sites, 79 urban and 29 rural locations, for a total of 80,000 meals during the summer months. Fresno EOC has since expanded the program to provide meals during winter break and during emergency school shutdowns.
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