Summer Food Programs in Connecticut

by Staff ◊ Jul 06, 2012

With schools getting out across the State for the summer, many children, who rely on meals during the school year as part of the Federal Breakfast and Lunch programs, will be at risk for going hungry. Some staggering statistics:

• During the 2011 school year, 144,000 children participated in school lunch programs across the state, but only a quarter of the children were involved in a summer food program.
• With approximately 128,000 children at risk for hunger in Connecticut, awareness must be increased around the state to ensure children will not go hungry this summer.
• In Connecticut, 19 percent of families with children suffer from food hardship and are unable to provide nourishment for their growing children.

For low-income children, not having access to nutritious meals can be detrimental to their health and overall growth. Low income children are more prone to obesity and can suffer academically from lack of healthy meals. This program ensures that children and teens will be provided with nutritious meals all summer long.

Our goal this year is to increase participation across the state. Currently, summer meals are provided at over 400 locations throughout Connecticut, such as schools, parks, pools, camps, and playgrounds. School Lunch Providers who served students during the school year will be volunteering during the summer in many school locations to provide food to children.

SNACT would like to connect more families to this important cause in order to make sure children are being fed FREE, nutritious meals throughout the day. With a growing childhood obesity rate, it is vital CT children are being are being provided with healthy, nutritious meals.

For more information about how you can receive assistance, please visit www.ctsummerfood.org. For immediate relief, call 2.1.1 or visit www.211ct.org.