Some 3 million school-age children participated in USDA’s summer nutrition program in 2016, down 5 percent from the previous year and the first decline after four years of significant growth, said the anti-hunger Food Research and Action Center. The program, which provides a daily meal, reaches a much smaller group of low-income children than the school lunch program, about one in seven.
“Greater investments at the federal, state, and local levels are needed to support improved access to nutritious meals and high quality summer programming for low-income children,” said FRAC president Jim Weill. “Through creative partnerships and increased outreach efforts, we can increase participation among low-income children.”
Under the summer nutrition program, meals are provided at sites such as schools, churches, parks and community centers. In a report, FRAC says the sessions often include activities to “keep them learning, engaged and better prepared to return to the classroom in the fall.” Although national participation decreased, 22 states showed increases in attendance last year, said FRAC.