politics
Federal cuts reduce summer meals for low-income children
Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under a new federal spending measure are expected to affect families with children out of school for summer. Officials have not detailed how states will adjust meal programs.
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The measure is projected to lower benefit amounts for some households during months when children are not receiving school meals.
Program changes and summer schedules School meal programs typically pause or reduce service when classes end. Families that rely on those meals may face larger gaps if SNAP payments decrease at the same time. Advocates for food assistance programs have stated that the timing of the cuts coincides with the summer break for many districts.
No specific enrollment or participation figures were provided in the report.
State and local response State agencies administer SNAP and school meal programs under federal guidelines. Officials have not announced new state-level funding or alternative distribution plans to offset the reductions. Local food banks and nonprofit groups have reported increased demand in past summers when school meals were unavailable.
It is not yet known whether those organizations will expand capacity this year.
