Utah has the fifth highest incidence of food insecurity in the United States.
Census data also indicates that Utah has the 10th highest incidence of food insecurity with hunger in the nation, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Statewide, 14.8 percent or 112,000 Utahns are unsure where the next meal is coming from, while 4.6 percent or 35,000 have experienced hunger in the past year.
In addition, 97,000 Utah children live in poverty.
The summer food nutrition program helps fill a gap for hungry children living in poverty, notes the state office of education Utahns against Hunger.
The federally subsidized child nutrition program replaces school meals while youth are out of school for summer vacation from the classroom.
In Carbon County, local children may obtain free meals at the following locations:
•Castle Valley Center, 755 North Cedar Hills Drive in Price.
Breakfast will be served Monday through Friday at Castle Valley Center from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. through Aug. 4.
Meals will also be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Castle Valley Center until Aug. 4.
•Petersen Elementary, 251 East 400 North in Sunnyside
Meals will be served Monday through Thursday at Petersen Elementary from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until July 27.
•Sally Mauro Elementary in Helper.
Meals will be served Monday through Thursday at Sally Mauro Elementary from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until July 27.
•Wellington Elementary, 250 West 200 North.
Meals will be served Monday through Thursday at Wellington Elementary from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. from June 5 until July 27.
Children 18 years of age and younger may eat at no charge at meal sites across the county and throughout the state. No identification is needed.
Carbon County residents ages 19 and older may eat for a small fee.
In addition to Carbon County, summer nutrition meal sites are located in Logan, Brigham City, Ogden, Davis County, Salt Lake County, Utah County, Eureka, Nephi, Moab, Green River, Delta and Blanding.
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