HAUPPAUGE, NY – Monday, June 20, 2016 – Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Food Bank rolled out their second mobile breakfast food truck on Wednesday, May 25 in a ceremony attended by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, and other community and healthcare leaders concerned about the plight of Long Island’s 70,000 children impacted by hunger and high food insecurity. The food trucks, which are part of a network of hunger assistance programs provided by the regional food bank, will work with various community organizations including the Suffolk County WIC program to provide a nutritious “Grab-n-Go” breakfast meal for children and others in need.
“Our mobile breakfast food trucks provide easily accessible support for children in need at critical times when schools are closed and the most important meal of the day may not be available,” said Jessica Rosati, Chief Programs Officer at Long Island Cares. The food trucks are a first of its kind program within the food banking industry in America, and Long Island Cares has already assisted nearly 3,000 children and adults since launching their first food truck in August of 2015. The food trucks are scheduled by member agencies of the food bank and those in need arrive at a specific location to enjoy a nutritious breakfast which is provided free of charge.
According to Long Island Cares’ CEO Paule Pachter, “Providing breakfast for children in need is essential to insure that they have the ability to remain healthy. Experiencing food insecurity jeopardizes people’s health and ability to function successfully. Our organization has been very fortunate to introduce our two food trucks on Long Island as the result of receiving private funding to develop both vehicles which are outfitted with refrigerators, generators, freezers and other necessities.” The food trucks dispense cereal boxes, low fat milk, fresh juices, snack bars, fruits, yogurt cups and other items ready to eat.
“I thank Long Island Cares for partnering with Hudson River Health Care (HRHCare), the nonprofit entity that runs our Suffolk County’s health centers as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s), to ensure that the Mobile Breakfast Food Truck will be on site at four county sites inclusive of: Amityville, Brentwood, Riverhead and Shirley,” said County Executive Steve Bellone.
For more information about Long Island Cares’ mobile breakfast food trucks, contact (631) 582-FOOD.
