SDUSD PULLS TRUMP FOOD BOX LETTERS
District says they’re misleading on virus, health mandates
SAN DIEGO
San Diego Unified is removing letters from President Donald Trump that have been packed into free food boxes for families in need, saying the letter inaccurately downplays the necessity of masks in preventing coronavirus spread.
San Diego Unified, along with other school districts, food banks and other nonprofits, distribute boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat and other groceries to families for free through the federal Farmers to Families Food Boxes program, which started in May and has delivered more than 100 million boxes. The program buys food from farmers that might normally go to restaurants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been placing a copy of a letter signed by Trump touting his response to the pandemic in every food box. In the letter, Trump said he has “prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to fam
ilies in need.”
Trump similarly had letters from himself sent out with coronavirus stimulus checks.
The food box letters have been criticized by Democratic lawmakers who believe Trump is using his position to promote himself in the weeks leading up to the election.
On Wednesday, San Diego Unified removed letters from 850 boxes, according to a district spokesman.
San Diego Unified said it takes issue with the part of the letter in
Trump recommends that people “consider wearing a face covering when in public.”
Superintendent Cindy Marten said that language misleads families about masks.
“Science is clear: wearing a mask works to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” Marten said in a statement. “Masks are required in California and on every San Diego Unified school campus. It is not optional, as the President wrote in his