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Food Insecurity Resources

USDA Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program administered at the state level that provides free meals to children ages 18 and under during summer months. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to become program sponsors or meal sites—meal sites must maintain clean and sanitary facilities to store and serve food to youth, keep daily records of meals served, and help promote the program in the community. In order to participate, at least half of children served in community sites must be eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on federal income guidelines.

Learn more about the program and find local meal sites here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program
 

Housing and Food Insecurity among U.S. College Students

Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice has conducted the #RealCollege survey, which assesses food and housing needs among U.S. college students for the past five years. In 2019, the survey reached 167,000 students from 171 two-year institutions and 56 four-year institutions. Seventeen percent of two-year college respondents and 16% of those attending four-year colleges reported having experienced homelessness. Additionally, 42% of two-year college respondents and 33% of those attending four-year colleges reported food insecurity in the last 30 days.

Access the #RealCollege 2020 report here: https://www.mass.edu/strategic/documents/2019%20HOPE%20Center%20MA%20Report.pdf
 

mother with children shopping in grocery store

Federal Food Assistance Resources Available

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made the following Federal Food Assistance Resources fact sheets and USDA National Hunger Hotline number available. 

For Everyone:

For Parents, Children and Teens under the Age of 18 Years:

  • Free and reduced-price breakfast, lunch and after-school meals are available to children in need throughout the school year. The summer meals program provides healthy, no cost meals to children when school is out.

Learn more by viewing the following fact sheets: