FRAC Chat

In recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in November, this blog lifts up opportunities to take action to support millions of families who are experiencing food insecurity and housing instability.
Across the nation, tens of millions of people are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing rents, stagnant incomes, and the end of COVID-19 pandemic-relief supports, which have resulted in growing food insecurity and housing instability. The “rent eats first” and “heat or eat” are phrases anti-hunger stakeholders hear all too often.

Veterans Day provides a prime opportunity to not only reflect on the unconscionable rates of food insecurity among veterans, but also to highlight efforts to ensure no veteran goes hungry.
This Veterans Day, take a moment to recognize the great work that is being done to address hunger among veterans and to double down on needed efforts to ensure no veteran goes hungry.

Maryland Hunger Solutions is excited to announce the publication of the 2023 Maryland Hunger Profiles, a comprehensive resource, featuring the latest participation data for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), K–12 child nutrition programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The report, updated by Maryland Hunger Solutions annually, provides information at the state and county level. Each hunger profile also contains key demographic data points, including population, median household income, and percentage of the population living below the Federal Poverty Level.

Last week, the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) released its annual report Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation — October 2021 and October 2022, which looks at participation in afterschool suppers and snacks on the state and national levels. The report finds that just over 1.15 million children received afterschool suppers through the Afterschool Nutrition Programs on an average school day in October 2022, reaching 339,360 fewer children compared to October 2021.

This week (October 9–13, 2023) is National School Lunch Week. Our partners at the School Nutrition Association are celebrating with the theme “Level Up with School Lunch”, and school nutrition staff and students across the country will be celebrating in cafeterias with special events, menus, and decorations.

The School Nutrition Programs are indeed something to celebrate. School breakfast and lunch are fundamental to the success of students and teens at school — reducing child hunger, improving student behavior, supporting academic achievement, and helping to build a sense of community. School breakfast and lunch also help to reduce food costs for families.