Child Nutrition Resources
Free & Reduced Price Meals
The following guidelines will be used in Connecticut from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 to determine eligibility for participating in Child Nutrition Programs such as free or reduced lunch or breakfast. These guidelines are taken from the United States Department of Agriculture's Income Guidelines, which may be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notice/iegs/IEGs.htm.
For more information on these guidelines, please visit the Connecticut State Department of Education website here.
| Free Meals |
Reduced Price Meals |
| Number in Family |
Annual Gross |
Monthly Gross Income |
Every Two Weeks Gross Income |
Weekly Gross Income |
Number in Family |
Annual Gross |
Monthly Gross Income |
Every Two Weeks Income |
Weekly Gross Income |
| 1 |
14,521 |
1,211 |
606
|
280 |
1 |
20,665 |
1,723 |
862
|
398 |
| 2 |
19,669 |
1,640 |
820
|
379
|
2 |
27,991 |
2,333 |
1,167 |
539 |
| 3 |
24,817 |
2,069
|
1,053
|
478 |
3 |
35,317 |
2,944
|
1,472 |
680 |
| 4 |
29,965 |
2,498 |
1,249 |
577 |
4 |
42,643 |
3,554
|
1,777 |
821
|
| 5 |
35,113 |
2,927 |
1,464 |
676 |
5 |
49,969 |
4,165
|
2,083
|
961 |
| 6 |
40,261
|
3,365
|
1,678 |
775 |
6 |
57,295 |
4,775 |
2,388 |
1,102 |
| 7 |
45,409 |
3,785 |
1,893 |
874 |
7 |
64,621 |
5,386
|
2,693 |
1,243 |
| 8 |
50,557
|
4,214 |
2,107
|
973 |
8 |
71,947
|
5,996 |
2,998 |
1,384 |
| Each Additional Family Member |
+5,148 |
+429 |
+215 |
+99 |
Each Additional Family Member |
+7,326 |
+611 |
+306 |
+141
|
School Breakfast
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded meal program started in 1966. The SBP provides nutritious breakfasts to students and prepares them to make the most of every school day.
 School Breakfast Report Card
School Breakfast Fact Sheet
Connecticut In-classroom Case Study
FRAC School Breakfast Scorecard (most recent)
Teachers' Perceptions of the School Breakfast Program Report 2003
Research
Breakfast and Academic Performance (Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2002)
Breakfast and Psychosocial Academic Functioning (American Medical Association, 1998)
Lower Risk of Overweight (American Medical Association, 2003)
More information
For more information on school breakfast, please contact the CT State Department of Education at 860-807-2070.
Need help or support starting or expanding school breakfast in your town?
Contact End Hunger Connecticut! by phone at (860)560-2100 or you can click here to submit a form requesting more information.
Summer Food
Summer Nutrition programs, often referred to as Summer Food, were created to provide the benefits of school lunch and breakfast during the summer when school is not in session. The program is the most underutilized of the federal child nutrition programs. Summer Food sites often include enrichment and physical activity components to keep kids active and engaged during the long summer months.
What is Summer Food?
Click on Summer Food for a printable USDA pamphlet describing the program.
Click here to submit a form requesting more information on Summer Food or if you are interested in learning how to start a Summer Food program.
Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Food
Does my child have to be a resident of the town to participate in its summer feeding program?
No, as long as a child is 18 or under they may participate in any open summer feeding program.
Do I need to fill out forms?
No, there are no participant forms required for Summer Food. The sponsor of the program handles all of the necessary paperwork involved and is approved for service by the CT State Department of Education.
Can I come and pick up a meal for my child and leave?
Meals are required to be consumed on the premises; however many sites have activities or programs that your child may wish to participate in.
End Hunger CT!'s small summer grants program: Operation Participation case study
Additional Information on Summer Food
FRAC Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation 2010
Summer Food and Afterschool Snack Pamphlet
To find the site nearest you, call 2-1-1 or visit United Way of Connecticut
Afterschool Snacks
Healthy snacks through afterschool snack programs allow children to be fully engaged in the educational and enrichment activities during afterschool programs. A schools participation in Afterschool Snacks can present a significant cost savings to after school programs that may be purchasing snacks on their own. Food helps attract children to afterschool programs, especially older children who have more of a say in determining whether or not they participate.
Childhood Obesity in Connecticut
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey of 2007 showed that 12.3% of Connecticut students are obese and 13.3% of them are overweight.
Federal Child Nutrition Programs exist to provide children with access to free, or low-cost, nutritious foods that support healthy eating habits. All child nutrition programs follow nutritional guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture. In addition to nutritional benefits, child nutrition programs often create opportunities for physical activity as demonstrated by the Summer Food Service Program's connection to local parks and recreation summer camps and other outdoor summer programs and activities.
Connecticut Commission on Children’s “Just the Facts” Fact Sheet
Final Report of the Sustinet Child and Adult Obesity Task Force: July 2010
Farm-to-School Program
The Farm-to-School Program is a statewide CT Department of Agriculture program designed to use Connecticut Grown fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals and snacks. The program supports local farms, and offers fresher, more nutritious produce in school meals. Getting locally grown products into school cafeterias is a win-win situation for everyone.
Districts participating in the Farm-to-School Program
For more information on Farm-to-School programs visit the CT Department of Agriculture Website or call 860-713-2588.
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