How School Meal Programs Lift Students Up for Success
- JCFM Staff
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Food insecurity among children in the United States is a critical but often silent crisis that afflicts millions of young lives. In fact, 1 in 5 kids face hunger or food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and data from Feeding America shows more than 13 million children in the United States live in "food insecure" homes.
Among the factors fueling this epidemic of child hunger are rising food prices and economic instability, which continue to strain families across the country. Lack of nutritious food is also a major reason students miss school or struggle to stay engaged.
"Child hunger is more than a nutrition issue - it's a quiet crisis that robs children of their ability to focus, learn, and thrive in the classroom," said GENYOUth CEO Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LD. "Every child deserves to be nourished, supported, and ready to succeed, and the solution starts with a commitment to our nation's schools."
American adults agree, according to GENYOUth's second annual "Youth Hunger & School Meals" survey. Nearly 9 in 10 respondents believe going to school hungry severely hinders a child's ability to focus in the classroom. Nearly all (97 percent) of respondents recognize the broader impact of food insecurity on a student's overall school experience, including low energy or fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and declining academic performance.
What's more, they connect food insecurity with a range of physical and emotional challenges, including frequent complaints like headaches and stomachaches as well as heightened levels of anxiety and stress, and low self-esteem.
School Meals are Critical to Learning
American adults overwhelmingly believe the solution to hunger in the classroom starts with access to healthy school meals. More than 9 in 10 respondents agree students who eat breakfast regularly perform better in school, and most recognize starting the day on a full stomach gives kids an academic edge, including better attendance and classroom participation.
There is also strong support for making school breakfast a standard part of the school day, not an optional add-on. For nearly 7 in 10, this is a priority.
After-School Meal Programs Are Also Key
Not only are in-school meals important for students' academic success, but after-school meals are essential as well. The nutritional and learning needs for students extend far beyond the classroom setting. Unfortunately, students living in poverty and with food insecurity still have to face the reality of their struggles long after the school doors close, and they have to continue their studies at home.
This is one of the many reasons why Minya Irby, founder and executive director of Jefferson Chalmers Farmers' Market (JCFM) is developing the "After-School Supper Club" program for students living with food insecurity in Detroit. The program will ensure that students receive the nutritional and academic support they need to not only survive, but to flourish, develop and grow.
The "After School Supper Club" will provide a space where students can study after school, and will include a staff of tutors, administrators, dietitians, and chefs. The program will provide a range of academic enrichment programs along with a menu of delicious, healthy home-cooked meals served with fresh ingredients locally sourced in Michigan. The McGregor Fund and The Skillman Foundation have already made pledges of support.
Rallying Support to Ensure All Children Thrive
According to the School Nutrition Association, approximately 30 million students rely on school meals for a significant portion of their daily nutrition. School meals provide the milk, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein students need to thrive.
Nutrition security emphasizes both quality and quantity in food intake, highlighting the critical importance of consistent access to healthy options. Innovative approaches like Grab and Go, Breakfast in the Classroom and Second Chance Breakfast have proven highly effective in expanding access to and participation in nutritious school meals.
"In our survey, it is encouraging to see that so many Americans recognize the link between school meals and student success," Krautheim said. "To unlock every child's ability to learn and succeed, we must uplift school meals with innovative solutions and rally support from parents and community leaders. Let's work together to make sure every child is nourished and ready to thrive."
To learn more and access the complete survey results, visit: GENYOUthnow.org.
