Summer nutrition programs address child hunger

By Audrey Vanzant Ohio Association of Foodbanks On June 20, Deborah Swerdlow, Chief of Staff, USDA Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, visited a handful of Ohio and Kentucky feeding sites providing summer meals to students during the summer months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the launch of “SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids,” to help improve nutrition security during the summer months. Families in Ohio and Kentucky now have more choices and convenient ways to get summer nutrition support for their children and teens:        • SUN Bucks, the new, evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program provides a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school-aged child.  & & & & & • SUN Meals are served at schools, parks, community centers and other neighborhood locations, often accompanied with enrichment activities.       • SUN Meals To Go, launched in 2023, offers pickup and delivery options in some rural areas when and where SUN Meals are not available.    Market Meals. Photo provided Deborah Swerdlow, Chief of Staff for USDA Food Nutrition and Consumer Services visited Ohio, where she observed various initiatives supporting the state’s food security efforts. Approximately 840,000 Ohio school children are eligible for SUN Bucks or...