Child food insecurity and child poverty in the U.S. are solvable problems. Yet, gaps in child nutrition program coverage and implementation continue to pose challenges for solving childhood hunger. This essay makes the case that in-kind nutrition benefits—both in the form of prepared meals and grocery vouchers—support a healthy and hunger-free childhood. The authors argue that federal coordination with and support for states on access and delivery is critical to ensuring that nutrition assistance reaches the children these programs are intended to serve. To illustrate the challenges with solving child hunger, the authors discuss the lessons learned from Pandemic EBT that could inform the implementation of another new program that has the potential to close the consequential summer gap in the child nutrition program patchwork: Summer EBT.
Published: March 2023
ID #: 283-5106
Publisher: Brookings Institute
Authors: Bauer L, Ruffini K, Schanzenbach DW
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Focus Areas: Nutrition Policy & Programs, School & After School
Resource Type: Report
Keywords: School meal programs, Supportive family policies
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