KidsData.org recent release a short report demonstrating California’s communities struggling to effectively help alleviate “summer hunger” among low-income children.
New data show that nearly 60% of California children in public schools are eligible for free or reduced price school meals – almost 3.5 million children in 2012.
Nationwide, the percentage of public school students eligible for these meals increased from 42% in 2007 to 49% in 2011 but still falls well below CA.
Student eligibility for free or reduced price meals often is used as a proxy measure for child poverty. Family income eligibility for these programs goes up to 185% of the federal poverty level (about $41,000 for a family of four in 2011-2012).
To read the report, click here.