State Steps In: Provides Banning, Beaumont Kids, Families Free Meals

Hungry kids are handicapped when they come to school, all educators know. So good meals for low-income students are part of many schools’ menu, including those schools here in Banning and Beaumont.

On Friday, the state superintendent of public instruction announced newly updated lists of other groups offering low-cost or free meals for not only children of low-income families— but for their parents as well.

It's all part of the state's Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and "provides nutritious food to infants, children, and adults," the state said. This is a separate program from a free breakfast and lunch program some schools take part in.

“Too many disadvantaged families are still struggling with the most basic need of all—providing nutritious meals for children,” said Tom Torlakson, the state schools chief. “I hope these updated lists help direct families to these critical resources.”

According to the California Department of Eduction, "under the program, all children enrolled in day care homes receive meals at no charge."  

"Most participating day care centers also provide meals at no charge," the department said in a press release.  "In centers that have a separate charge for meals, participants may receive free or reduced-price meals."

There are nine total locations to offer such meals in Banning and Beaumont, according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program Day Care Home Sponsors and the 2012-13 CACFP Center Sites list.

Here are the five 2012-13 CACFP Banning sites, all child care centers: 

• Renu Hope Foundation, 235 North 2nd Street.  Contact: Saovaros Diehl-Hope, 951-845-3816
• Renu Hope Foundation, 1320 W. Williams Street.  Contact: Saovaros Diehl-Hope, 951-845-3816
• Renu Hope Foundation, 771 W. Williams Street.  Contact: Saovaros Diehl-Hope, 951-845-3816
• Banning Head Start, 671 N. Florida.  Contact: Lisa Schifano, 760-863-3010
• San Gorgonio Child Care Consortium, 671 North Florida, Suite A.  Contact: Linda Phillips, 951-849-2930

Here are four Beaumont sites, also all child care centers:

• Beaumont Preschool/CCC/SPS, 874 Beaumont Ave. Contact: Saovaros Diehl-Hope, 951-845-3816
• Renu Hope Foundation, 802 Beaumont Ave.  Contact: Saovaros Diehl-Hope, 951-845-3816
• Beaumont 8th Street, 600 E. 8th Street.  Contact: Lisa Schifano, 760-863-3010
• Beaumont Head Start, 1141 Beaumont Ave.  Contact: Lisa Schifano, 760-863-3010

As part of Torlakson’s Team California for Health Kids initiative, he encourages students to be physically active, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink more water.

Studies show these factors can lead to better academic achievement in students, the state said.

Nearly 5,000 local day-care centers and 17,000 sponsored family day-care home providers in California take part in the CACFP.

Families with children in child-care centers can qualify for free or reduced-price meals if their household income is equal to or less than the income eligibility guidelines. See attached PDF chart.

In a news release, the state also said:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent income eligibility scales are adjusted for inflation and are higher than the previous year. For example, a family of four that earns no more than $29,965 a year (up from $29,055 last year) can qualify for free meals and snacks. Also, a family of four that earns no more than $42,643 a year (up from $41,348 last year) can qualify for reduced-price meals and snacks. The Income Eligibility Scales for free and reduced-price meals and snacks are attached.

Children who receive California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (Kin-GAP), Head Start, Early Head Start, or the Even Start Program are automatically eligible for free meal benefits under CACFP.

Adults who receive CalFresh, FDPIR, Social Security Income, or Medicaid benefits are also eligible for free meals under CACFP. Institutions serve meals to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

For more information, see the CACFP Day Care Home Sponsors list and the 2012–13 CACFP Center Sites list.