The number of children getting after-school snacks and meals through federal programs remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report.
The study by the Food Research and Action Center that says too many children are missing out on suppers and snacks through after-school nutrition programs. The report looks at October 2024 data and focuses on food for kids attending post-school activities like mentoring, childcare and physical activity.
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“Families are facing rising food costs, and many parents are working long hours just to get by,” FRAC President Crystal FitzSimons said in a statement. “The Afterschool Nutrition Programs help families stretch tight household budgets and ensure children get the nutrition and programming they need to learn and thrive.”
Of the group’s aim to reach 15 children with the Afterschool Supper Program for every 100 taking part in free or reduced-price school lunch, only California and the District of Columbia reached FRAC’s goal for U.S. states.
Key findings:
- 1.26 million children received an after-school supper on an average school day in October 2024
- 1.24 million children received an after-school snack, a decrease of 10,770 children from October 2023
- One child for every 16 children who received free or reduced-price school lunch in October 2024 was served after-school suppers.
- 44,911 sites served after-school suppers and/or snacks in 2024, a decrease of 1,397 from 2023.
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