Colorado está trabajando para impulsar a las comunidades agrícolas del estado mediante la obtención de más alimentos frescos y nutritivos en los comedores escolares, y una nueva herramienta en línea podría ayudar a más distritos a participar.

El esfuerzo es un componente clave de la iniciativa Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos aprobada en 2022.

Taylor Frederick con Nourish Colorado dice que, en los últimos dos años, los operadores de comidas escolares han identificado las mejores prácticas que pueden ser adoptadas por otros distritos escolares, incluyendo la forma de trabajar con granjas y ranchos locales.

"Como encontrar a su productor local," dice Frederick, "e incluso como hacer ofertas específicas para productos locales concretos, y como incorporar este tipo de cosas en sus menús."

La nueva Guía del Programa de Alimentos Locales de Colorado, disponible en línea en 'guidebook.nourishcolorado.org,' ofrece consejos y herramientas para poner en marcha y mantener programas de la granja a la escuela.

La guía también ofrece formas para que los padres y miembros de la comunidad interactúen con su distrito escolar local, para animarlos a optar por el programa voluntario o hacer recomendaciones de menú.

Frederick explica que la guía comienza con un breve cuestionario que ayuda a dirigir a los usuarios a los recursos adecuados.

Por ejemplo, los productores de alimentos que quieran vender sus productos a clientes infantiles de confianza pueden aprender cómo funcionan las cafeterías de los distritos escolares y cómo comprar alimentos.

"Para entender mejor los canales del mercado escolar," afirma Frederick, "el proceso de licitación, los precios con los que trabajan los distritos escolares, sus horarios y un poco sobre los menús y productos que buscan."

Dice que los responsables de los comedores escolares también pueden obtener consejos sobre cómo pasar de servir alimentos enlatados y procesados a preparar comidas con ingredientes frescos a través de una serie de vídeos de capacitación.

"Algunos tipos de equipos de cocina que podrían estar en las escuelas, tenemos videos de capacitación sobre ellos," asegura Frederick. "Técnicas de cocina vegetal. Esas eran las grandes cosas que los distritos escolares y autoridades de alimentación escolar decían que querían."






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It is nearly summer, and time to go to bat for those struggling with hunger in New Mexico.

This Saturday, letter carriers with the U.S. Postal Service will collect nonperishable food items on the doorsteps of customers as part of "Stamp Out Hunger," the nation's largest one-day food drive.

Marie Montano, a letter carrier and member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 504 in Albuquerque, participates each year because she said it is a chance to give back to the community.

"The end of April, I start talking about it to my customers, letting my customers know," Montano explained. "Every little bit counts. One day alone, at one station, we get close to about 500 pounds per carrier."

Feeding America's 2023 "Map the Meal Gap" study found one in five children and one in seven people overall are at risk of hunger in New Mexico.

Those who want to help can fill a sturdy bag or box with nonperishable food and leave it next to their mailbox on Saturday before their usual mail delivery.

The drive in Albuquerque will benefit Roadrunner Food Bank, which distributes food within the city and also statewide.

Sonya Warwick, director of communications and events for the food bank, knows there is a significant need right now, because more people are showing up at distribution sites.

"It's one of the largest food drives that happens all across the country," Warwick pointed out. "Going into the summer months is very critical food for us, given that we do see hunger spike with little kiddos out of school and they may not have access to those free and reduced (price) meals that they typically would get at school."

In addition to Roadrunner, food banks in other parts of the state including Santa Fe and Artesia are participating. Warwick emphasized New Mexico's food banks are always working to close the state's meal gap.

"It can be difficult simply because there are so many communities across the state who have so much need, particularly rural communities in our state," Warwick stressed. "They tend to see much larger hunger rates especially among the most vulnerable, like children."

For those who cannot participate, Warwick added a monetary donation is always helpful because it allows Roadrunner to purchase food in categories not donated as often.

A new program in Indiana will ensure year-round access to nutritious meals for students statewide.

The Summer Electronic Transfer program provides a one-time $120 payment for school-aged children on an EBT card. The card can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said history shows programs such as SUN Bucks are effective.

"What we learned from the pandemic is that when we provide benefits like this, allowing families to pickup on behalf of their children made a tremendous difference in reducing food insecurity amongst kids during the pandemic," Weikert Bryant observed. "Particularly during the summer."

Local schools will discuss eligibility with parents and families. Additionally, free meals are available at SUN Meals sites throughout communities. Funding for the initiative is provided by the state and the U-S-D-A.

Weikert Bryant said SUN Bucks serves as a crucial lifeline, ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months. The program reflects Indiana's commitment to fostering the well-being of Hoosier kids, ensuring they receive nutritious meals to thrive personally and academically. She described who qualifies.

"Children are eligible for the program if the household already participates in SNAP, TANF -- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -- or income-based Medicaid," Weikert Bryant outlined. "Or if the student has been identified as a ward of the state; a foster child, homeless or migrant."

Those children will automatically receive benefits. Families who do not qualify for those programs but have children who receive free and reduced priced meals need to apply for the program. The application deadline is May 1.


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Alabama is one of 14 states opting out of the 2024 summer electronic benefit program.

As summer rolls around, there will be no programs in place to help low-income families with grocery costs.

LaTrell Clifford Wood, hunger policy advocate for the group Alabama Arise, said as a result, more than 500,000 children who usually receive free or reduced lunch could go without meals. She noted while summer feeding programs will be available, they will not reach everyone in need.

"Ninety-four percent of Alabama children who rely on free and reduced-price meals won't have access to them over the summer," Clifford Wood reported. "That means that only 6% of the children who rely on those meals during the school year are going to be fed through summer feeding programs."

Clifford Wood warned limited hours, transportation and strict program rules will hinder many families from benefiting from such vital programs. The Alabama Legislature did not allocate the necessary $15 million for the program by the end of the last session. However, Clifford Wood noted there is a chance the program will be funded in the summer of 2025.

As legislators focus on next year's budgets, Clifford Wood stressed the need for funding next summer's EBT program. She pointed out Alabama Arise is calling for lawmakers to allocate funds from the Education Trust Fund to combat child hunger, affecting one in four children in the state.

"This is a program that's been tested for 13 years," Clifford Wood emphasized. "It's had three rigorous evaluation periods, and it was shown to improve the diet of children and decrease children's food hardship by a third."

Clifford Wood believes prioritizing children's needs and addressing food insecurity is a form of preventive care and serves as an early investment in the state's overall wellness.

The Food Research and Action Center said funding the e-benefits program would also benefit the economy - adding anywhere from $98 million to $117 million. The Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee is expected to vote on the budget next week.