School Nutrition Association’s Post

Food Insecurity is a significant factor in student absenteeism For the first time in at least 50 years, a majority of U.S. public school students are from low-income families. 51% of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade were eligible for the federal program that provides FREE and REDUCED-PRICE lunches. This lunch program is a rough proxy for poverty but the explosion of needy children in the nation’s classrooms is a recent phenomenon that has been gaining attention among educators, public officials, and social researchers. Even in wealthy Sarasota County, 52% of children were eligible for FREE LUNCHES-an an indicator of food insecurity at home meaning that they don’t have consistent access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. Our Club in partnership with AAll Faiths Food Bank decided that we should help in alleviating this problem. In 2015 our Club/Foundation awarded AFFB a $60,000 five (5) year grant to place food pantries in all Title 1 schools in Sarasota County Schools We also committed to operating these pantries where needed. These school-based pantries are located on the school campus, making them a more readily accessible source of food assistance to families in need. They also try to be open at convenient school times so families can shop when arriving at school to pick up their children. So far, there are thirteen (13) school-based pantries in the program. Seven (7) of these are Title 1 schools. The top three (3) are Emma E Booker Elementary, Altavista Elementary School and Tuttle Elementary with Almost 95%, 92%, and 91% respectively of their students on FREE or REDUCED-PRICE lunches. The school district also provides FREE breakfasts to these schools. The Alta Vista Food Pantry was every other Thursday from 2:30pm-6pm excepting school breaks. We packed out food items for 60 families 2:30-3:30 and distribute from 3:30-6:00. During Holidays, we run Turkey Pantry, that operate like a regular Pantry, plus we would pack 125 Turkeys and Thanksgiving meal kits. #givingchallenge2024 #foodpantry #endinghunger #rotary #rotaryclubofsarasotafoundation #SarasotaCountySchools #allfaithsfoodbank #AltavistaSchool

The Idaho Department of Education is seeking sponsors for this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to children 18 years and younger by operating sites located in low-income areas during the summer months. Learn more and/or sign up to sponsor a site ⬇️ ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dqwaQ6w According to Feeding America’s 2021 Map the Meal Gap, about 8.6 percent of Idaho’s children have experienced food insecurity. During the summer months, the challenge of reaching children and families in need of nutritional support grows. Sponsors are being sought across the state, especially in #rural areas where coverage gaps exist. The department is partnering with the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force to increase awareness and recruitment. Needs include: 📍 Region 1: There is a lack of adequate coverage in the communities of St. Maries, Boundary County, Kootenai, Kellogg and Wallace. 📍 Region 2: The only SFSP sponsors in Region 2 are in Lewiston, Lapwai, Moscow and Grangeville. 📍 Region 3: Only the Boise and West Ada school districts, as well as the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County currently cover Ada County. 📍 Region 6: SFSP does not have sponsors in Custer and Teton counties and only one in Lemhi County. #Idaho #education #FullBellies #CuriousMinds #FoodInsecurity #HungerRelief #community #SummerFoodServiceProgram

Food insecurity, which the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” is an important public health problem and an underrecognized social determinant of health. It places a substantial burden on our society through health care and social costs. People experiencing food insecurity often consume a nutrient-poor diet, which may contribute to the development of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. People who live in food-insecure households also have difficulties in managing diet-related chronic conditions. For ECU students experiencing food insecurity, the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry is an invaluable resource. #ecu #foodinsecurity #foodpantry #highereducation

Healthy School Meals for All means "everyone just gets to eat," says Andrea Cisneros, kitchen manager at West Woods Elementary in Arvada. Fellow Colorado voters, we all made it happen! Now we're seeing the benefits of this program: 👩👦👦 Everyone qualifies. No more missing free lunch because you over-qualify by a $1. Everyone, no matter their income, deserves healthy food. 💰 Parents save $1,250 per student, "alleviating financial stress while food and living costs rise." 👩🌾 We'll have the most robust farm-to-school programs in the nation. This fall, schools can leverage local purchasing grants for high-quality, locally sourced food. A win for Colorado producers and our local economy. A win for students' health. 📣 Students and parents have a say. The next stage of the initiative will establish advisory committees, giving decision-making power to students and families to ensure meals stay healthy and appealing. Community should always be at the heart of decision-making, and everyone should have a say in the food they eat. This is a great example of how all of us, working together, have the power to end hunger in our communities! 🤝

With the start of a new school year right around the corner, some US states are bringing back free school meals for all kids, regardless of family income. At present, nine states — California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, and Vermont — have restored free meals for all students. Most programs are permanent but some, like the one in Nevada, are in place for the 2023-24 school year only. In addition to these nine states, at least 21 other states are working toward expanded meal programs. This list includes Connecticut, which passed legislation this week offering free meals to more, though not all students. Are there ideas or lessons here for Canada? Currently, we are the only G7 country without a national school food program. #foodsecurity #children #schoolnutrition #lessonslearned

Research shows a high correlation between food and housing insecurity. #LCUFund #OpeningDoorsForWomen #LCUScholars #WomenInEducation #EducationFunding #CollegeCompletion #AddressingHousingInsecurity #InvestsInTheFuture

Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Food Insecurity at George Mason University Dear LinkedIn Community, In the heart of George Mason University lies a silent struggle that demands our attention: food insecurity among students. As a vibrant institution committed to fostering academic excellence and holistic student well-being, it's crucial that we address this pressing issue head-on. The Patriot Pantry, a vital resource for students facing food insecurity, remains relatively unknown, while the rate of students grappling with hunger continues to rise. Key Message Strategies: 1. Awareness: Our primary goal is to shine a spotlight on the prevalence of food insecurity on our campus. By raising awareness, we aim to break the stigma surrounding this issue and encourage open dialogue. 2. Accessibility: The Patriot Pantry stands as a beacon of hope for students in need. Through this campaign, we strive to make the pantry more accessible and well-known to those who may benefit from its services. 3. Community Support: We believe that addressing food insecurity is a collective responsibility. By rallying the support of our community, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Call to Action: Join us in our mission to combat food insecurity at George Mason University. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow Patriots. Visit https://lnkd.in/eqZKQEj9 to learn more about the Patriot Pantry and discover how you can get involved. As members of the George Mason University community, it is incumbent upon us to stand in solidarity with our peers facing food insecurity. Let's work together to ensure that every student has access to the nourishment they need to thrive academically and personally. Sincerely, Mason Food Security [email protected]

FRAC applauds the Biden administration for expanding community eligibility, which allows high-need schools to offer free meals to all of their students. The new rule makes about 3,000 more school districts eligible.   The new rule comes at a time when an alarming number of children are experiencing poverty and hunger in America following the loss of pandemic-related investments such as refundable tax credits and free school meals. https://lnkd.in/gYXCYsnU

The United States is the best and richest country on the planet. Why is it acceptable to any of us to have so many children experience hunger? Why is it acceptable to cut back on free lunch programs that address legitimate needs? What if that child who had nothing to eat for lunch was your child? How will the next generation thrive and become their best selves if they don't have enough food to focus, learn, and grown? Free lunches are NOT driving inflation. Free lunches DONT break our federal or state budgets. We are making a choice that demonstrates our collective values. We can do better. Children are the world's most important people. https://lnkd.in/gXHnCtJT