UPDATED 9/16/20 — Both Fort Bragg Unified and Ukiah Unified are offering free food boxes for any child 18 years or younger each Wednesday through the fall. Fort Bragg Unified will be offering free food boxes, with five days worth of food, Pick-ups will be at Fort Bragg High School or at Dana Grey Elementary from 1 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday (see flyer below). Details on the Ukiah food distribution are in the previous article below.

MENDOCINO Co., 9/8/20 — Ukiah Unified school district announced in a press release today that they will be able to provide food for any child in the community that is 18 years or younger through the fall.
Starting tomorrow, food distribution will take place every Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ukiah High School. Tomorrow only, there will also be a free drive-through BBQ at Ukiah High, for all community children 18 years or younger, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, and watermelon. The district will also now be providing free breakfast and lunch daily to all Ukiah Unified students.
Back in March, as part of the original federal Coronavirus Relief Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) began funding a free school meals program for children 18 years and younger as distance learning took over regularly scheduled school. The program was set to expire in mid-August.
But, responding to pressure to extend the program through the pandemic, the USDA announced late last month that it would extend the program through December 31, 2020.
According to the USDA’s August press release continuing the program, the USDA will extend a variety of rules usually reserved for summer, including:
Allowing SFSP and SSO meals to be served in all areas and at no cost
Permitting meals to be served outside of the typically-required group settings and meal times;
Waiving meal pattern requirements as necessary; and
Allowing parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children.
– USDA Press
Here’s all the details from Ukiah Unified:
Food Distribution – Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Due to a change in regulations, we are excited to announce that we can now provide food for Ukiah Unified students and ANY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY 18 years or younger!
Food will be provided for UUSD students and ANY children 18 years or younger every Wednesday at one location, Ukiah High School, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Food distribution will happen regardless of the weather, and there will be no bus deliveries.
In addition to tomorrow’s regular food distribution, you are also invited to a FREE drive-through BBQ for UUSD students and ANY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY 18 years or younger tomorrow from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ukiah High School. Chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, and watermelon will be provided; just drive through and pick it up.
This year, we are excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to every Ukiah Unified student, thanks to a California program. We hope you take advantage of this program so that every student can access healthy, nutritious meals.
Come early; some food items are limited. Remember to wear a mask and practice physical distancing when picking up food. Please reach out to your school for support or call 707.472.5003. And don’t forget to read with your kids!•••••••••••••••••••••
Distribución de alimentos de UUSD mañana miércoles, 9 de septiembre de 2020
Debido a un cambio en los reglamentos, nos complace anunciar que ahora podemos suministrar alimentos para los estudiantes de Ukiah Unified y para TODOS LOS NIÑOS EN LA COMUNIDAD menores de 19 años de edad.
Se suministrarán alimentos para los estudiantes de UUSD y para TODO niño menor de 19 años de edad todos los miércoles en un lugar, Ukiah High School, de las 6:30 a.m. a las 6:30 p.m. La distribución de alimentos se lleva a cabo, no importa cómo esté el clima; y no hay distribución por autobús.
Además de la distribución de alimentos mañana, también están invitados a una parrillada GRATIS que pueden recoger en su vehículo para los estudiantes de UUSD y para TODOS LOS NIÑOS EN LA COMUNIDAD menores de 19 años de edad, mañana, de 3:00 p.m. a 6:30 p.m., en Ukiah High School. Tenemos pollo, perros calientes, elotes, o mazorca de maíz, frijoles y sandía, simplemente pasen en su vehículo para recogerlo.
Este año, nos complace ofrecer desayuno y almuerzo gratis a todos los estudiantes de Ukiah Unified, gracias a un programa de California. Esperamos que aprovechen este programa para que todos los estudiantes puedan tener acceso a comidas saludables y nutritivas.
Fort Bragg pickup locations are Redwood Elementary and Dana Gray Elementary, NOT Fort Bragg High School.