The Summer Nutrition Programs provide funding to offer healthy meals at sites that typically provide educational and recreational activities when the school year has ended. These same programs have played an important role in responding to the nutritional needs of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This report measures the reach of the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2021, nationally and in each state, compared to July 2019 and July 2020. It is based on a variety of metrics and examines the impact of trends and policies on program participation. This three-year analysis allows for a closer look at participation in lunch and breakfast prior to the pandemic compared to participation during the first two summers that were impacted by COVID-19.