BY SKY BEARD, Director of No Kid Hungry Florida
When it comes to feeding kids, school meals are one of our best tools.
They are a consistent source of nutrition for many kids and serve as a lifeline to ease uncertainty and financial strain for families.
Earlier this year, No Kid Hungry Florida commissioned a statewide poll that found many families in Florida are struggling to afford groceries. Over a third of parents with kids in public school said they have turned to free or low-cost school meals to help extend their grocery budget within the last 12 months.
These Floridians shared that school meals help them in many ways. For example, one in five Suwannee County mom said, “During school, it’s one less meal I have to worry about,” while another from Osceola County said, “Free lunches help our family meet other needs without struggling as much.”
When it comes to feeding kids, school meals are one of the best tools in our toolbox.
Teachers shared that their students rely on the school system for their primary nutrition and often don’t eat if they don’t come to school. Access to these consistent, healthy meals helps children concentrate on their learning, not their grumbling tummies.
Despite the benefits of these programs, the growing need in communities across the state means that many families still need additional resources to provide three nutritious meals a day. The good news is that many schools across the state are providing just that by implementing innovative ways to enhance their existing meal programs.
OCPS ACE Elementary, Eccleston Elementary, and Jones High School are prioritizing nutrition education to engage students in conversations about healthy meals and the importance of school meals. By engaging students in these important conversations, they are working to increase participation in their school meal programs and develop student interest in health and nutrition.
At Evans High School, they are developing an app that will increase access and streamline the process for students and families using their school food pantry. The onsite food pantry provides access to nutritious food outside the cafeteria at times convenient for the families they serve.
This is just one example of the incredible work we’ve seen from school districts and community partners throughout the state. The innovation happening in these communities ensures more kids experiencing food insecurity can get the nutritious food they need to grow up strong and healthy.
None of these achievements would be possible without the dedicated individuals working tirelessly to feed Florida’s children. I applaud every one of you for your hard work and dedication. The accomplishments made this year are only the beginning.
Together we can continue overcoming barriers that might impact a child’s access to the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.
