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 # 4 Things to Know About Why Summer is the Hungriest Time for Kids in America

 


 

 Jul 26, 2017 12:40 PM ET

  Campaign:  [Connecting Business to Cause](/news/campaign/connecting-business-cause)  ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/4_things_about_summer.jpg) 

**(1) Summer is a time of need.**

For some kids, summer is a time of joy and freedom. For millions of kids who rely on school for regular meals, however, summer can be a time of hunger and anxiety. [Research shows](https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/Summer%20Nutrition%20Program%20Social%20Impact%20Analysis%20FINAL.pdf) that family grocery costs rise [more than $300 a month](https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/summer-meals/summer-nutrition-program-social-impact-analysis) when school is out and school meals disappear, putting a strain on already-tight budgets. That leaves many families [making tough trade-offs](http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/our-research/hunger-in-america/key-findings.html); two-thirds of all low-income families say they’ve had to choose between food and utilities, two-thirds also had to choose between food and medical care.

**(2) Summer hunger has long-term consequences.**

A lack of reliable nutrition during the summer months takes a major toll on children. Kids who struggle with hunger are more likely to[ experience “summer slide”,](https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/NKH_MicroReport_02_SummerHunger_Final.pdf) forgetting what they learned and starting the next school year months behind their more affluent peers. Kids who struggle with hunger are more likely to experience [long-term health consequences](https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/resources/NKH_MicroReport_02_SummerHunger_Final.pdf), like iron deficiency, anemia, asthma, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

**(3) Summer meals are a lifeline for hungry kids.**

Summer Meals are a lifeline for kids in need. The national summer meals program was created 40 years ago to help students get enough nutrition when school is out of session. [Summer meals programs](http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program) are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); administered by state agencies, such as state departments of education; and run by public and private organizations, including schools, community centers and faith-based organizations.

**(4) The summer meals program doesn’t reach many kids who need it.**

When the program works well, it’s a lifeline. Today, however, the program just doesn’t reach a majority of kids in need; of the 22 million kids who receive a free or reduced-price school lunch, [only 4 million are getting a summer meal](http://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/2016_summer_nutrition_report.pdf). No Kid Hungry is changing that. We’re working in communities across the country to help open new summer meals sites, and help existing summer meals sites feed even more kids.

\*\*\*

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