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In 2023, to respond to increased rates of child food insecurity during the summer Congress authorized states to opt in to allowing noncongregate, or “grab-and-go,” summer meal services for students in rural areas. In the summer of 2023, 46 states and DC opted in, and in the summer of 2024 all 50 states and DC opted in. This summary presents data on noncongregate sites for 2023 and 2024 to assess the growth in participation and popularity.
Published: February 2025
ID #: 81398
Publisher: Urban Institute
Authors: Emily Gutierrez, Poonam Gupta, Baris Tezel, Ariella Meltzer
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Keywords: Community setting, Food insecurity, School meal programs
Focus Areas: Food Access, Nutrition Policy & Programs
State: National
Resource Type: Research Brief
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