Summer should be a time for children to explore new interests, stay active, and continue learning in safe and supportive environments. National Summer Learning Week, observed July 6–10, is an opportunity to highlight the importance of summer programs and the role they play in supporting children, families, and communities. It is also a time to recognize that for many families, summer brings challenges: ensuring children continue to have access to nutritious meals when school is out.
During the school year, millions of children rely on school meals to stay nourished and ready to learn. When school lets out for the summer, children lose access to those daily meals. The Summer Nutrition Programs help fill that gap by providing free meals and snacks to children and teens 18 years old and under at approved sites in communities across the country. These programs help ensure that children can stay healthy, active, and connected to supportive community spaces while school is out.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that provides nutritionally at-risk pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals, infants, and children up to 5 years old with essential nutrition resources and support, including healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals.
