HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE A VACATION

In 2013, for the first time in a decade, the number of low-income children eating summer meals saw a substantial increase year-over-year, according to a new report. Nearly 3 million children participated in the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2013, an increase of 161,000 children, or 5.7%, from July 2012. Progress was also made in reaching a higher proportion of children in need. The programs grew to serve 15.1% of low-income children who participated in school lunch during the 2012-2013 school year, a modest increase from the 14.3% served in the 2011-2012 school year.  Total summer meal participation in Connecticut grew by 7.4%, while the percentage of low-income participants grew by 2.4 points to 26.4, ranking Connecticut 4^thin the nation.

 

Source: Food Research and Action Center, 6/2/14, Summer Meals