Food Research and Action Center Reports Nearly 1 in 6 Low-Income Children Receive Summer Meals

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More low-income children are eating summer meals, according to a new report released today by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) which showed more than 3.2 million children participated in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2014. This represents a seven percent increase over the previous year, and demonstrates what can be done when the federal government, states, and communities make summer food a priority.

There was significant progress in 2014 in reaching a higher proportion of children in need. In its annual report, Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation, FRAC measures the success of Summer Nutrition Programs at the national and state levels by comparing the number of children receiving summer meals to the number of low-income children receiving school lunch during the regular school year. By that measure, one in six children (16:100) who needed summer nutrition received it. In July 2013, the ratio was 15:100.

"Higher participation rates in summer food mean more low-income children get the fuel they need to thrive over the summer months," said FRAC President Jim Weill. "Congress can further this progress in this year's Child Nutrition Reauthorization law by making strategic and thoughtful investments in the Summer Nutrition Programs that bolster their capacity to serve even more children."

The Summer Nutrition Programs, which include the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program over the summer period, provide free meals at participating summer sites at schools, parks, other public agencies, and nonprofits for children under 18. Not only do children benefit from the free meals, but they also benefit from the enrichment activities that keep them learning and engaged.  

Leadership by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) contributed to this progress. The agency has prioritized summer meal growth by partnering with national organizations to increase the number of sponsors and sites and by providing hands-on assistance to states. According to the report, 42 states increased Summer Nutrition participation, with 18 states growing  participation by more than 10 percent.

The full report and infographics are available at www.frac.org.

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the lead advocacy organization working to end hunger in America through stronger public policies. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Food Research and Action Center

Related Links

http://www.frac.org

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