The Utah Food Bank has historically dubbed summer as the official season of hunger. To some, this might come as a surprise. However, when schools shut down for the summer, so do breakfast and lunch programs, which students often rely on to ensure they’re receiving meals throughout the day. 

According to Feeding America, the country’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to combatting hunger, one in five children in the United States are currently facing food insecurity. In Utah specifically, the ratio is one out of eight people for adults, and one out of six for children. In Utah alone, roughly 220,000 kids rely on school lunch and breakfast programs for their daily nutrition.

The effects of hunger have long been studied and documented, showcasing that regardless of age, missing even one meal can result in a slew of negative consequences, both chronic and acute. Feeding America explains why food insecurity is particularly dangerous for our youngest residents: 

“For children, food insecurity is particularly devastating. Not having enough healthy food can have serious implications for a child’s physical and mental health, academic achievement and future economic prosperity. Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development in young children; risk of chronic illnesses like asthma and anemia; and behavioral problems like eating disorders, hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression in school-age children.”

Who you are can also have bearing on your potential to face food insecurity. While food insecurity is an issue that effects people of all backgrounds and circumstances, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger compared to their white counterparts. Another common risk factor for childhood food insecurity is growing up in a single parent household. In 2022, children who lived in a single income household, typically led by single mothers, were 33% more likely to experience hunger. 

Historically speaking, summer is always a difficult season for reconciling hunger. However, 2025 has presented new challenges, especially following budget cuts implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Back in March of this year, two federal programs were cut, resulting in a combined loss of nearly $1 billion in funding for schools and food banks to buy directly from local farms, ranchers and producers. At the time, the agency claimed it was a decision that would help “return [the agency] to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives.” 

The decision was made by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. At the time, they claimed the decision to cut funding was a means to slash federal spending, and therefore, reduce government waste. Previously, the USDA programs in question were funded through the agency's Commodity Credit Corporation, a Depression-era fund created to buy products directly from farmers. The cuts resulted in a loss of about $660 million in funding this year for the Local Food for Schools program, which is active in 40 U.S. states, including Utah. 

Despite the jarring budget cuts, the Utah Food Bank sprang into action, as they are accustomed to doing ahead of the summer months. Back in March, they held an event called Feed Utah which was lauded for its convenience. Ahead of the event, pamphlets were left on residents’ front doors which explained how they could participate by either gifting a financial donation or leaving a bag of nonperishable food on their doorstep, which would then be picked up by Food Bank volunteers and employees. 

“So it’s really hard for families who have a fixed budget to have money left for food. Do they choose to pay the rent? Do they choose to pay the power bill so they have heat?” said Utah Food Bank CEO and President Ginette Bott. “We recognize that not everyone can [donate] at this time. But at some point, in the future, please help us, or your neighbors.”

After the success of the Feed Utah event, it was time again for the food bank to start tackling its most critical season: summer. Preparations for summer often begin as early as Thanksgiving and Christmas of the prior year, and with the added stress of federal budget cuts looming, it was imperative to get a handful of programs and events on the docket.  

Incidentally, the USDA will still be providing funds for the Utah Food Bank’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program expands upon the food bank’s Kid’s Café program, which focuses on bringing meals to children 18 and under during the summer months. The program runs through Aug. 8 and includes two means of operation. Children can either go to an open site, where anyone under 18 will receive a meal, or they can access a closed enrolled site if they’re participating in specific activities. 

Each site will offer either individual daily meals or a weekly box containing seven breakfasts and seven lunches. Meal types and schedules vary by location, but all sites will be closed June 16, July 4 and July 24 in observation of state and federal holidays.

To find a meal site near you, visit www.UtahFoodBank.org/SummerMeals, text “SUMMER” to 914-342-7744, or call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY. More than 300 sites are available statewide, with Utah Food Bank operating 60 of them. Children must be present to receive a meal.

Another helpful program children can utilize this summer is SUN bucks or summer EBT. Eligible families will receive a $120 credit for each school-aged child in the household. To learn all about the SUN bucks program, who qualifies, how to apply, and more, visit www.jobs.utah.gov/customereducation/services/sebt/index.html.

For adults in need of food assistance, the Utah Food Bank is a great place to start locating resources. Visit www.utahfoodbank.org/get-help/. This link can also be used by adults who are wishing to donate or volunteer at the food bank.