The Summer Food Service Program allows kids and teens age 18 and under access to healthy meals at no cost throughout the summer months. Most sites are “open” sites, where there is no sign-up or paperwork required; kids can just drop by when meals are served. In summer 2023, this vital program allowed nearly 450 schools and community organizations to serve free, healthy meals at thousands of sites across New York State.
Each year, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) assesses participation in summer meals nationally and in each state. FRAC’s most recent report, “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: 2023 Summer Nutrition Status Report”, found a dramatic decrease in summer meal participation from 2021 to 2022, following the loss of key pandemic waivers that allowed all communities to offer summer meals and provided operational flexibilities. While these flexibilities were extended through summer 2022, Congress did not extend them until the end of June 2022, which was too late for many sponsors to successfully utilize them. Coupled with staffing challenges and supply chain disruptions, this had a significant impact on participation in New York and across the country.
Key Findings: Summer Meals Participation 2021-2022
| July 2021 | July 2022 | Change from ‘21 to ‘22 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | about 4.7 million children | about 1.8 million children | down 61.6% or 2.9 million fewer children | |||
| New York State | 525,112 children | 345,118 children | down 34.3% or 179,994 fewer children | |||
| USA | about 5.4 million children | about 3 million children | down 44.5% or 2.4 million fewer children | |||
| New York State | 577,930 children | 425,114 children | down 26.4% or 152,816 fewer children | |||
| USA | 6,194 sponsors | 4,552 sponsors | down 26.5% or 1,642 fewer sponsors | |||
| New York State | 581 sponsors | 488 sponsors | down 16% or 93 fewer sponsors | |||
| USA | 46,999 sites | 35,557 sites | down 24.3% or 11,442 fewer sites | |||
| New York State | 2,331 sites | 2,278 sites | down 2.3% or 53 fewer sites | |||
New York continues to be a top performing state, with decreases in participation much less severe than the rest of the country. Still, the data is clear: New York reached many more children in 2021 compared to 2022, with 179,994 more children receiving breakfast and 152,816 more children receiving lunch in 2021.
These findings illustrate New York’s capacity to serve more children when sponsors have greater operational flexibilities and site locations are not limited by “area eligibility” tests. We urge Congress to use these lessons learned during the pandemic to inform a forward-thinking Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill that prioritizes children’s access to vital nutrition programs. Increased funding and permanent flexibilities are necessary to ensure summer meals reach more children across New York State.
In July 2022, fewer than 28 NY kids received a summer lunch for every 100 who received a free or reduced-price lunch during the 2021-22 school year.
As we continue to fight for universal school meals in New York State, we must also ensure kids are well-fed when they are out of school for summer break. In July 2022, fewer than 28 low-income New York children received a summer lunch for every 100 who received a free or reduced-price lunch during the 2021-2022 school year. New York can, and should, lead on ensuring that children receive free, nutritious meals year round.
