A study by the Food Research and Action Center, an anti-hunger group, compiled a report that "tracked the program in 2009" according to the Associated Press. These summer nutrition programs "aim to feed children who get most of their nutrition -- or sometimes their only real meal of the day -- at school." The report "measures the effectiveness of those summer programs by comparing the number of low-income children receiving meals during the summer with those receiving free and reduced-price school meals during the school year."
The data in the report "show that during the summer of 2009, only 16 percent of students who ate free or reduced-cost lunches during the school year were fed when school was out. The figure was 17 percent in the summer of 2008 and 21 percent in 2001."
California's summer nutrition programs are are struggling more than others. According to the LA Times, "participation in federal summer meals programs for low-income children dropped 10% in California last year, despite an increase in eligibility due to the recession." "A total of 481,339 California children received free meals at schools, parks, recreation centers and other sites in July 2009, more than 60,000 fewer than the previous year, the report said. That is just 21% of the number who receive subsidized meals during the school year."
West Virginia participation "grew by 24 percent last year after the state added new sites for distribution and recruited religious organizations to serve summer meals" and the District of Columbia served meals "to four out of five eligible children," the AP reports.
To read the AP story, click here.
To read the LA Times story, click here.
Posted: 06/30/2010
