Oakdale’s youth does not have to go without lunch this summer. That’s the goal and the mission of Jason Beach, Oakdale Joint Unified School District Nutritional Services Director who has spearheaded the OJUSD Cafe Services Free Summer Meal Program.
The program will begin Monday, June 6 and continue through Friday, July 1. Lunches will be distributed at three area parks, at varying times.
“We need to step up. We still need to be there for these kids,” Beach said of launching the program amidst the funding for free lunches being cut by the government.
He additionally shared during a time of increases in prices of groceries, he feels it’s important for students to have access to lunch if the family cannot afford it. There is no special qualification process or student ID required. Recipients must be 18 years of age or younger to benefit from the program.
“It is funded on participation,” Beach stated, adding that the government will reimburse the district for each recipient. “I have food that I’ve purchased throughout the school year, so I do have good inventory on hand. So that’s the food I’m going to focus on.”
The Nutritional Services team hopes to serve up to 250 to 350 each day at the three locations, yet they have enough to cover each park for that same amount. Beach will use three staff members initially to prepare and distribute the meals, with others available if there should be a need.
Schedule of distribution is: Gilbert Park from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; Dorada Park from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Burchell Park from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“I’m going to try to serve the type of foods we would in the school year,” Beach said, as he’s currently building a menu of kid favorites including corn dogs, chicken nuggets, hamburgers, and chicken patty sandwiches.
He plans to serve hot meals Monday, Wednesday, Friday and cold meals on Tuesday and Thursday.
“I grew up needing this program,” Beach said of his passion for bringing this to Oakdale’s youth. “I grew up in trailer parks and things like that. I had to work my way to where I am now.”
For additional information or questions, e-mail food@ojusd.org.
