Understanding "Area Eligibility"

Currently, 29,000 kids in Vermont access free or reduced price meals during the school year and only 5,000 of those kids have access to meal programs in their communities during the summer. The 24,000 kids who don't have access to meals in the summer are at much higher risk of obesity and falling behind their peers when school is back in session.

There are two ways the Campaign is making a difference on this issue. First, we are working with communities to assure there are good quality summer programs for all kids that include nutrition programs. Second, Congress is preparing to take up child nutrition reauthorization this year. We are working with our Congressional delegation on improving the area eligibility threshold for open summer meal sites and free school meal programs from 50% to 40% of the federal poverty level, which would increase access to nutritious food for children. In Vermont, this change would affect over 60 school districts and 13,000 more kids would become eligible to access meals year round.

The map below gives a visual of what this change would mean for Vermont kids. The red areas on the map are currently eligible. If area eligibility was lowered to 40%, the blue areas could also become eligible.