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Department of Recreation and Parks / California Department of Education / 2025-26 Summer Food Service Program / Summer Lunch Program

Council File 14-0455-S10

Approved — the City Council has authorized the Recreation and Parks Department to accept an $856,000 federal grant for its Summer Lunch Program, pending the Mayor's signature to finalize the funding.

Introduced
2026-05-07
Last changed
2026-09-15
Status
open
Expires
2028-09-09
Initiated by
Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners
References
Board Report: 26-087

Brief

The Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners proposed participation in the California Department of Education's 2025-26 Summer Food Service Program to provide free meals at city Parks and Recreation facilities during summer. Council approved the initiative 11-0-4 on September 9, 2026, after routing through the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee and Budget and Finance Committee. The file was transmitted to the Mayor on September 15, 2026, who has until September 25 to act.

Full summary

The Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners initiated this file to authorize the Department of Recreation and Parks to apply for and accept a federally funded Summer Food Service Program grant from the California Department of Education, worth approximately $856,000, to run the department's Summer Lunch Program. The program reimburses agencies for providing nutritious meals to youth during summer months when school meal programs are not in session. For 2026, the Los Angeles Unified School District served as the meal provider at $5.36 per lunch, with the program running from June 12 through July 31, 2026. Total projected expenses for the 2026 Summer Lunch Program were approximately $950,000, covering the cost of lunches, program monitors, and other operational costs. The $856,000 grant covers the bulk of that, with the Department of Recreation and Parks contributing roughly $94,000 from its own funds to make up the difference. Council approval authorized the department's General Manager to accept and execute all necessary grant documents and designated senior RAP leadership as agents to conduct negotiations and submit payment requests. A separate accounting fund within Recreation and Parks Grant Fund No. 205 was authorized to hold the grant award. The file moved through two committees before reaching the full Council. The Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved the recommendations on August 11, 2026, and transmitted the file to Budget and Finance, which concurred on September 1, 2026. Mid City West Neighborhood Council submitted a community impact statement in support. On September 9, 2026, the City Council adopted the item 11-0-4, subject to reconsideration under Council Rule 51. The action is pending Mayor approval before taking full effect.

Activity (12)

  • 2026-09-15 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is September 25, 2026.
  • 2026-09-09 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-09-04 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on September 9, 2026.
  • 2026-09-01 Budget and Finance Committee concurred with the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee's action of August 11, 2026.
  • 2026-08-28 City Clerk rereferred item to Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee; Budget and Finance Committee, pursuant to Council File No. 26-2000.
  • 2026-08-28 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 1, 2026.
  • 2026-08-11 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee transmitted Council File to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • 2026-08-11 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-08-05 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on August 11, 2026.
  • 2026-07-17 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mid City West Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-05-08 Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee; Budget and Finance Committee.
  • 2026-05-07 Document submitted by Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners, dated May 7, 2026.

Documents (6)

Council votes (1)

  • 2026-09-09 Vote — 11-0-4 · Regular

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