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Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break in the Summer – Record Levels of Children Experiencing Hunger 

By: Sarah DeFrank, Director of Policy, Programs, & Partnerships 

Hunger is not something that comes to mind when we think about summertime. Generally we have thoughts of camping, cookouts, swimming, ice cream, berry picking—but not hunger. That is unless you are the one of the estimated 18,070 children (more than 250 school buses filled with children in every seat) who experience hunger in the Southern Tier. For these kids, summer is a challenge, a mixed bag, because in summer, hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  

According to the newest data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, the Southern Tier has work to do!  

Hunger by the Numbers – Children Experiencing Food Insecurity 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, we believe this is not acceptable. Here is a look at some of the factors and resource highlights: 

THE FACTORS

Children lose access to school breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year.
Research shows that summer hunger and food insecurity can cause physical and mental health problems and lead to poor performance in class when school begins again. Studies say food-insecure children experience higher rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. 

Pandemic era economic interventions ended.
Many households in the Southern Tier have had to become acquainted with hardship as the programs created during the pandemic have come to an end. Eligible community members were making ends meet with the help of extra food aid, automatic enrollment into Medicaid, an increase to the Child Tax Credit, and unemployment benefits. The Census Bureau reported last year that COVID relief efforts and others sharply reduced childhood poverty.  

Inflation.
It is estimated that the average household in New York is paying $1,101 more per month to buy the same basket of goods and services as in January 2021, based on May 2024 Consumer Price Index data release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) State Inflation Tracker.

Compared to January 2021, the average household in New York is spending per month:
$158 more on food per month – up $22 per month from one year ago
$239 more per month on shelter
$109 more per month on energy
$296 more per month on transportation

The cost of living has increased while wages stay stagnant.  

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
Summer EBT
NEW! Starting this summer 2024, eligible families in participating states will receive $120 in federally funded grocery benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card for each school-age child who is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals through the new, permanent, federal Summer EBT Program. Summer EBT acts as a complement to the traditional Summer Nutrition Programs. For more information, visit https://www.summerebt.org/

Summer Meals
There are nearly 2,500 summer meal sites across New York State. For site specifics and distribution details, check out: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder 

Kid’s Farmers Markets 
We coordinate Kids’ Farmers Markets with many community partners, which are a no-cost market with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for children!
For details and the 2024 schedule: 2024 Kids’ Farmers Markets (foodbankst.org) 

Food Pantries and Meal Sites
There is a strong network of partner pantries and meal sites in the six counties we serve. You can find out more by visiting our FIND FOOD page. 

SNAP and WIC
You may be eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). If you have any issues applying for SNAP, each county has a SNAP Outreach Worker (NOEP) who can help.
For more on SNAP: https://foodbankst.org/find-food-other/snap/
For more on WIC: https://hungersolutionsny.org/find-food-help/wic/

Greater Good Grocery and Bus (Broome County)
The Greater Good Grocery Bus is a mobile market offering fresh produce, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, and everyday pantry supplies to ensure the community has access to fresh, healthy & affordable foods. For stop details visit their Facebook Page. 

Join us in advocating for strengthening these important programs! 
A national survey was recently commissioned in partnership with the Siena College Research Survey. The purpose was to find the degree of national support for our shared federal priorities, as well as to better understand Americans’ urgency around addressing hunger and poverty. We’re excited to share overwhelming popular support for: 

• Higher SNAP benefit levels, fewer barriers to SNAP participation, and an expansion of SNAP choice; 
• Universal school meals;
• Federal investment in local food systems;
• Addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty.