Free summer lunches come with a heaping serving of music

Healthy summertime lunches and a free concert are striking the right cord with many kids locally, and there’s plenty of food available for more children to enjoy.

The campaign is called Food4Kids and throughout Santa Barbara county there are 34 free summer meal sites to feed anyone 18 and younger.

Throughout Santa Barbara county there are 24 free summer meal sites to feed anyone 18 and younger.

It’s tied in with a concert series featuring local bands such as the “Wha Wha’s” and “Nevermind” that were created out of the Notes for Notes and Rockshop Academy programs.

“We really want the kids to understand you can have a good time eating healthy food, enjoying music, and it doesn’t have to be junk food.”

One student, Arlethzie Jimenez who enjoyed her lunch said she ate, “an orange, milk, pizza , and salad.”

Surprisingly, many kids are still going hungry.

“The food has been paid for by the state and federal government thankfully, the workers are here, the community and the city want this to work,” said Food4Kids program coordinator Laura Burton Capps. “The biggest problem is participation. The numbers are very low. About 20 percent of kids who are actually hungry are actually participating in these programs, in the summer.”

By adding music and art to their meals, it’s a fulfilling new summertime serving for children.

“Over the last 30 years we’ve seen an increase in obesity if you just look at the maps, obesity rates are off the charts. We are trying to bring it back to wholesome set of circumstances where we are doing organic gardening, healthy cooking classes, free lunch, music,” said Mark Alvarado from the Santa Barbara City Park and Recreation Department.

For more information you can text Food4Kids to 877-877 or log on to: NoKidHungry.org