FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2011
EOC’s Food Services to Provide 100,000 Summer Meals to Underprivileged Youth

(Fresno, CA) - During these harsh economic times, the only healthy meal a disadvantaged youth may consume is a no-cost or reduced-price meal offered at school during the academic year. With school ending and summer around the corner, Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Food Services is getting ready to provide no-cost meals to these underprivileged youth via its Summer Food Services Program.

“We live in an area known as the ‘agricultural capital of the world’,” says Gary Joseph, EOC Food Services’ Director. “It’s heartbreaking to know that children, who live in the area that supplies food to the world, are going hungry. Summer Food Services Program gives us the opportunity to continue to provide youth who rely on free or reduced-price school meals with a nutritious meal during the summer break.”

According to California Food Policy Advocates’ 2010 Fresno County Nutrition and Food Insecurity Profile, 30.2% of children, ages 1–18 years, live in poverty. The profile further shows that 125,995 children and youth are eligible to participate in the Summer Food Services Program.

The meals – which are prepared and provided by EOC’s Food Services – meet strict United States Department of Agriculture and California Department of Education nutrition guidelines and are comprised of two ounces of protein, two servings of fruits/vegetables, one serving of bread, and eight ounces of milk.

EOC began administering the Summer Food Services Program in 1991 with only two sites. Now, 20 years later, the program has expanded to 101 sites, including 72 urban and 29 rural locations.

Summer Food Services Program is a federal program funded by the USDA and administered by the California Department of Education. Sites are located in areas where 50% or more of the children attending the local elementary school qualify for and receive no-cost or reduced-price meals. To locate the nearest Summer Food Services Program distribution center, please call the Food Resources Hotline at (559) 266-3663.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

*NOTE: Please contact Randy Moens at 559-266-3663 to schedule an interview or schedule a date/time to shoot b-roll.

###
CONTACT
Yahaira Garcia-Perea
559.263.1024
yahaira.garcia-perea@fresnoeoc.org
About EOC
Our Mission
To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency.

About EOC
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, was established in 1965 with the goal of obtaining equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for those in need in Fresno County. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States.

EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development. They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.