Panera is looking to feed hungry kids in Ohio who may not have healthy meals to eat because the coronavirus pandemic closed down their schools.

During a White House press briefing, Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary announced the partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Children's Hunger Alliance to provide meals to needy children in the Buckeye state.

The announcement is a part of an effort from the federal government to create public-private connections to help feed needy children who can't eat free meals at school due to coronavirus shutdowns.

Starting April 6, the restaurant chain will work deliver 'ready-to-eat' meal boxes to the Children's Hunger Alliance. The Ohio-based non-profit works with organizations meals to 'at-risk' children in daycares, schools, and summer programs.

Each meal will include a choice of salads, sandwiches, and veggie snack boxes.

Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary spoke on Friday at the White House about the need to get meals to needy children, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue will work with Panera to expand a program that provides meals to needy children in Ohio to kids throughout the United States

'Today, more than ever, it is clear to us that access to nutritious food is an undeniable right – especially to those most vulnerable, such as children, during this time of crisis. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our communities,' Chaudhary said.

The meals will be prepared using USDA guidelines of balancing dairy, lean protein, whole grains, with fruits and vegetables. The food will also be heavily discounted to match the current USDA school food prices.

The meals will be balanced in accordance with the USDA specifications, which includes include dairy, fruits, lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains

The meals will include a choice of salads, sandwiches, and veggie snack boxes

The Ohio-based Child Hunger Alliance is a non-profit that works with organizations meals to 'at-risk' children in daycares, schools, and summer programs

Panera will continue to work with the USDA to launch similar programs in states throughout the country. The company wants needy non-profits and government officials in other states to contact them at schoolmeals@panerabread.com.

'While always making the health, safety and overall well-being of our family a top priority, Panera will do its best to help the hungry in this time of need,' Chaudhary said.

During the briefing, McLane Global Logistics Chairman Denton McLane also said his company, would partner with Pepsico, the U.S. Postal Service, and UPS to deliver packaged meals students homes, the AP reported. Those packages are expected to last for two weeks.