Summer Vacation May Mean the End of Nutritious Meals For Some Children
Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. With the arrival of summer, meal programs across the state have begun serving healthy meals to children who lack access to enough food to meet their basic nutrition needs.
Families looking for a nearby meal program should dial 2-1-1 or click on Summer Food Open Drop-in Sites in Vermont (pdf) for a complete list of Vermont drop-in sites.
The effects of hunger on children can be detrimental to their health, well-being, and lifelong success. Children living in food insecure homes are at greater risk for poor health, nutritional deficiencies and obesity/overweight, as well as developmental delays, poor academic achievement, depression, and increased aggressive or hyperactive behavior.
Food Insecurity in Vermont (2006-2008, 3 yr. avg. from US Census):
Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough food to meet basic nutrition needs at all times due to lack of financial resources.
• 12.1% of all Vermont households are food insecure
• 23,000 children under 18 live in food insecure households
• 81,400 Vermonters of all ages live in food insecure households
• 37% of Vermonters cannot afford either enough food or nutritious food
Food Insecurity with Hunger in Vermont (2006-2008, 3 yr. avg. from US Census):
Households that are classified as food insecure with hunger are those in which adults are likely to be hungry on a regular basis and children are hungry at least occasionally.
• 5.7% of all households are food insecure with hunger
• 4.7% of Vermonters sometimes or often cannot afford enough to eat
Emergency Food Utilized in Vermont:
• 12,290 Vermont children depend on food shelves each month
-For more information on 3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps) go to: www.vermontfoodhelp.com or visit The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger
-To learn more about hunger in Vermont and its consequences, contact the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger at vtcech@vtnohunger.org or 802-865-0255.
Families looking for a nearby meal program should dial 2-1-1 or click on Summer Food Open Drop-in Sites in Vermont (pdf) for a complete list of Vermont drop-in sites.
The effects of hunger on children can be detrimental to their health, well-being, and lifelong success. Children living in food insecure homes are at greater risk for poor health, nutritional deficiencies and obesity/overweight, as well as developmental delays, poor academic achievement, depression, and increased aggressive or hyperactive behavior.
Food Insecurity in Vermont (2006-2008, 3 yr. avg. from US Census):
Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough food to meet basic nutrition needs at all times due to lack of financial resources.
• 12.1% of all Vermont households are food insecure
• 23,000 children under 18 live in food insecure households
• 81,400 Vermonters of all ages live in food insecure households
• 37% of Vermonters cannot afford either enough food or nutritious food
Food Insecurity with Hunger in Vermont (2006-2008, 3 yr. avg. from US Census):
Households that are classified as food insecure with hunger are those in which adults are likely to be hungry on a regular basis and children are hungry at least occasionally.
• 5.7% of all households are food insecure with hunger
• 4.7% of Vermonters sometimes or often cannot afford enough to eat
Emergency Food Utilized in Vermont:
• 12,290 Vermont children depend on food shelves each month
-For more information on 3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps) go to: www.vermontfoodhelp.com or visit The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger
-To learn more about hunger in Vermont and its consequences, contact the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger at vtcech@vtnohunger.org or 802-865-0255.