The state is foregoing more than $500,000 per year in federal meal reimbursements as a result.

HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi – The first-ever national report on federal after-school nutrition programs finds Hawaiʻi lagging far behind other states in serving after-school snacks or suppers to low-income students.

Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation, recently published by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), looks at participation data in the federally-funded after-school nutrition programs at both the national level and for each state.

The report’s key indicator compares the number of low-income children who participated in school lunch with the number who received after-school suppers in 2016. While the national average was 15 students having supper for every 300 who ate free or reduced-price school lunch, Hawaiʻi served less than one in 300. That places Hawaiʻi in the bottom three states.

“The meals program reinforces the healthy living messages our children and youth learn about in the YMCA’s after-school programs,” said Diane Tabangay of YMCA of Honolulu. “Above all, many of our youth tell us that this is their only meal until the next school day.”

In addition, federal funding is available to serve supper to children at after-school programs in low-income communities. These dollars can help children get needed nutrition after school, as well as free up funds for after-school programs to expand their reach and improve their quality.

Currently three states are serving supper at close to the national average of 15 children for every 100 students getting free or reduced-price school lunch. If Hawaiʻi were to reach that modest goal, close to 10,000 more low-income keiki would be getting an after-school supper, and our state would be receiving over $500,000 per year in additional federal reimbursements.

“After-school programs provide important enrichment activities and safe spaces for children in low-income communities,” said Paula Adams of the Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance. “Providing snacks or suppers can reduce hunger and also support essential programs for children and families.”

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The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice is committed to a more socially just Hawaiʻi, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice through policy development, advocacy and coalition building.

The Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance is a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting and advancing sustainable, quality after-school and summer learning programs that result in improved academic, social, emotional and physical outcomes for children and families in Hawaiʻi.