When Summer Winds Down: How Families Feel the Hunger Gap and Why School Meal Programs Matter…
As the long days of summer start to fade and back-to-school lists fill kitchen counters, many Connecticut families feel a mix of excitement and relief that routine is returning. But for far too many, the end of summer brings something else—anxiety about how to stretch every dollar and make sure there’s enough food before school meals begin again.
The Hidden Hunger at the End of Summer
During the school year, thousands of children across Connecticut depend on free or reduced-price school meals. When those programs pause for summer break, the safety net disappears. Grocery bills climb. Budgets tighten. Parents look for low-cost ways to feed growing kids who are home all day.
One mother from New Haven described it simply:
“By August, the fridge starts looking emptier. I’m counting every snack because school meals haven’t started yet, and everything feels like it costs more.”
For teachers, it’s also visible when students return in the fall.
“Some kids come back hungry,” said one middle-school teacher from Meriden. “They’re tired, distracted, and you can tell food has been scarce at home.”
These stories mirror a broader reality. Food insecurity in Connecticut has increased by nearly 40% since 2020, with more than 516,000 residents—including 122,000 children—struggling to afford enough food. Many families rely heavily on school meal programs to fill those gaps once classes resume. [1]
Why School Meal Programs Are So Critical
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally funded initiatives that provide nutritious meals to students at low or no cost. For many children, these meals are the most reliable source of nutrition they receive each day. Research shows that access to school meal programs directly reduces household food insecurity and supports academic performance. [2]
During the academic year, these programs help create stability for families who are already juggling rising costs for rent, transportation, and childcare. But when summer comes and these programs pause, that stability disappears.
Bridging the Gap: Summer and Weekend Food Supports
Federal and local programs work hard to fill the summer gap, but not every family knows about or can access them. The Summer Food Service Program (often known as “Summer Meals” or “SUN Meals”) provides free breakfasts and lunches to kids under 18 at schools, parks, and libraries across Connecticut. In 2024, more than 37,000 Connecticut children received over 1.7 million summer meals through this program. [3]
Even with those efforts, there’s still a significant shortfall—especially in late August, when many summer meal sites close before schools reopen.
To help bridge that gap, many districts and nonprofits run “backpack programs” or “weekend food bags.” These send shelf-stable groceries home with students every Friday so families have enough to eat over the weekend or during short school breaks. Teachers say these simple bags make a major difference:
“It means I don’t have to worry about who’s coming back Monday too hungry to focus,” one elementary school counselor shared.
Connecticut’s Numbers Tell the Story
Roughly 42% of Connecticut students—more than 200,000 children—qualify for free or reduced-price meals. [4]
Schools with at least half of students meeting income eligibility are considered “area eligible” for federal meal funding. [5]
In the 2022-2023 school year, 19.7 million students nationwide received lunch through the NSLP and 14.3 million participated in the SBP. [6]
The data make clear: when these programs pause, hundreds of thousands of children lose consistent access to meals.
The Stress Behind the Statistics
Numbers don’t capture the daily mental load parents feel during those final weeks of summer. Parents describe skipping meals themselves so their kids can eat or relying on inexpensive processed foods to stretch budgets. Many families make impossible trade-offs—between food and fuel, rent and groceries, bills and backpacks.
One Hartford parent said it best:
“We try to make it through August with whatever’s left on the card or in the pantry. Once school starts, it’s like we can breathe again.”
How Communities Can Help
Here’s how each of us can step in to make sure kids have enough to eat—no matter the season.
Support Backpack and Weekend Food Programs
Contact your local school district, PTA, or community center to donate funds or food items for take-home meal programs. Shelf-stable proteins, fruit cups, granola bars, and whole-grain pasta are always in demand.Promote Summer Meal Sites
Each summer, free meal locations operate across Connecticut. Many families don’t realize anyone under 18 can participate—no paperwork required. Spreading the word helps ensure those meals reach the children who need them.Encourage School Meal Enrollment
If you know families who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, remind them to complete applications early. Enrollment helps districts access additional funding and ensures children start the year nourished.Advocate for Policy and Funding
Local and state funding can help extend summer and weekend feeding programs. Reach out to legislators and urge continued investment in food security for children.Volunteer or Donate Locally
Food banks, schools, and nonprofits need volunteers, drivers, and donors—especially in August and September. Every contribution helps close the hunger gap.
A Call to Action
At The White Oak Bridge, we believe hunger is a solvable problem—especially when communities work together. Whether it’s donating a backpack of food, volunteering at a summer meal site, or simply sharing information about school programs, small acts can have lasting impact.
As one Connecticut teacher put it,
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach. Feeding them is the first step to everything else.”
Let’s make sure no child in our state faces a new school year hungry.
Sources
Connecticut Foodshare, Hunger in Connecticut (2025).
Food and Nutrition Service (USDA), National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) data.
End Hunger Connecticut!, Summer Meals Program Annual Report (2024).
Connecticut State Department of Education, Student Eligibility for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (2024).
Connecticut State Department of Education, Area Eligibility for Federal Nutrition Programs (2024).
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), School Breakfast and Lunch Participation Report (2024).