Ledyard — The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is kicking off Hunger Action Month by announcing three new distribution sites for its mobile food pantry program.

The mobile pantry, which launched in May 2013 and is part of the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, has been serving more than 300 households every month at three distribution sites in Groton, Jewett City and Norwich. The mobile pantry will now visit New London, Baltic and an additional site in Groton.

Set up similar to a farmers' market, the mobile pantry distributes fresh fruit and vegetables, proteins, and other surplus items to any family needing assistance. Families are advised to bring a form of identification and their own bags. The pantry distributes food for one to two hours at each location, and each household receives approximately a week's worth of food.

Distribution sites are determined on two factors: where can the most people in need be reached and helping those who live in "food deserts," where there is no large, retail grocery store or supermarket and/or where transportation options are limited.

Mobile Pantry distribution sites and times:

[naviga:ul][naviga:li]Sprague Community Center, 18 West Main St., Baltic; every second Friday of the month from 2-3 p.m.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]St. Mary's Church, 54 North Main St., Jewett City; every third Wednesday of the month from 3:30-5 p.m.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]St. John's Christian Church, 346 Shennecossett Road, Groton; every fourth Friday of the month from 10-11 a.m.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Thames River Apartments, 48 Crystal Ave., New London; every fourth Wednesday of the month from 4-5 p.m.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Norwich Free Academy, 305 Broadway Ave., Norwich; every third Thursday of the month from 5-6 p.m.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Groton Human Social Services, 2 Fort Hill Road, Groton; starting on Oct. 9 every second Wednesday of the month from 10-12 p.m.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]