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Rising costs push more families to summer meal programs, partners say
Summary
District and nonprofit partners said higher gas, housing and utility costs are driving new families to meal programs; partners said dependable summer meals reduce parental stress and help prevent summer learning loss.
Partners described rising living costs—higher gas prices, housing expenses, insurance and utilities—as factors that have increased demand for summer nutrition programs, sometimes forcing families to pay "hundreds of dollars" more per month when children lose access to school meals.
"We are seeing some of the highest gas prices we've seen in years, also housing expenses, insurance, utilities, child care," said Nina Harrelson of All Faith Food Bank. She said the loss of free and reduced-price school meals in the summer can add substantial household costs and that programs that provide dependable meals give families "a little bit of peace of mind."
Speakers said dependable meals also help limit the "summer slide" by keeping children fed and ready to learn. "If you don't eat well, you can't learn," said Dawn Page of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto counties, describing the clubs' summer focus on both nutrition and education to help children return to school healthier and more prepared.
