By Mariana Dale for LAist
Originally published Oct. 30, 2025
About 600 Los Angeles Unified schools will start serving supper to offset expected delays to the federal food assistance program.
“The rumbling stomach of a child will prevent that child from learning,” said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho at a press conference Thursday. “It is not humane. It is not compassionate. We will not stand by it.”
Carvalho said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits feed about 217,000 students in the district.
The Trump administration has said it will not tap emergency funds to sustain the program, known locally as CalFresh, during the federal shutdown. That means no payments will be issued in November to the 1 in 8 U.S. residents who participate in the program. California is among the states suing to keep the SNAP funded.
Every LAUSD student already can get free breakfast and lunch at their school.
Find a meal program
Now, about 600 schools will provide supper to any child up to 18 years old Monday through Friday, even if it’s not the school they’re enrolled at. An LAUSD spokesperson said schools started serving supper to students Thursday and will open the program to the community Monday.
The meal will be served after dismissal and must be eaten on campus. The district also has set up a website with additional resources and has a 24/7 hotline for families at (213) 443-1300.
The nonprofit that supports LAUSD schools is raising money to support families affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
This report is reprinted with permission from Southern California Public Radio. © 2025 Southern California Public Radio. All rights reserved.
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