As we approach the joyous holiday season and the start of a New Year, I’d like to reflect on the work Appleseed Centers are doing to make this world a brighter place, one meal at a time! Hunger has a profound impact on the academic achievement and future social mobility of children. Today we celebrate the Appleseed Network’s work to keep children fed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all students received free meals in schools through a federal waiver. Unfortunately, that initiative concluded in June 2022, leaving many students vulnerable to hunger or meal debt. As of the 2022-2023 school year, only two states had permanently invested in providing meals free of charge to all children in school.

This year marks a turning point as more states join the movement to guarantee permanent access to free healthy meals for all students and to expand funding for other programs that combat child food insecurity. We are particularly proud of the progress made by Appleseed Centers across the country this year!

These triumphs are not just policy changes; they are investments in the well-being of our children and the promise of a brighter tomorrow – a gift that keeps on giving.

Appleseed Justice Centers are additionally enhancing food access through efforts to expand the Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) program, a pivotal initiative that allows high-poverty schools and school districts to offer free meals to all students, irrespective of their income. As of October 2023, schools and districts can opt into CEP by demonstrating that 25% or more of enrolled students meet specific criteria, such as being unhoused, in foster care, or eligible for certain public benefits like SNAP or TANF. For years, Appleseed Centers have collaborated with state agencies and school districts, effectively advocating for increased participation in CEP. 

As we usher in the new year, the momentum from this year’s incredible victories fills our hearts with hope. Below are more ways that Appleseed Centers are fighting to keep kids fed:

In the spirit of the holidays, let’s continue spreading joy, hope, and nourishment. Your support has been instrumental in making these achievements possible. From our Appleseed family to yours, we wish you a season filled with warmth, joy, and the knowledge that, together, we’re making a real difference for kids in need.

Author

Sarah Pacilio

Sarah joined the Appleseed Network in June 2019 as a Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Fellow. Originally from Sackets Harbor, NY, she received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University where she spent time working to achieve menstrual equity on campus and advancing women*s reproductive rights. As the Director of Network Collaboration for the Appleseed Network, Sarah strives to connect Appleseed justice centers around common goals and ideas in order to build capacity and expand the strength of Appleseed’s advocacy efforts.​ Sarah lives in Seattle, WA. In her spare time, you can find Sarah enjoying the nature of the PNW, reading alongside her cat, learning a new skill (currently pottery and bouldering), or cooking a new recipe.

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