Fighting Hunger through OST

The Problem:

Data shows that 1 in every 4 children throughout NM were food insecure prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – that’s approximately 130,000 children who were unsure where their next meal was coming from. In the wake of the pandemic, that number has increased to 1 in every 3 children. Breaks from school and out-of-school time present challenges for many families with low income who rely on meals provided at school. This is a serious issue – children require good nutrition for optimal growth and development, readiness to learn, and school performance. When it comes to hunger, even when we control for the effects of factors correlated with poverty, food insecure children are more likely than food secure children to face health problems such as anemia, lower nutrient intake, cognitive problems, and so on.

What NMOST is Doing:

The New Mexico Out-of-School Time (NMOST) Network recognizes the unique role that afterschool programs can play in providing an additional meal to children and youth throughout our state. That is why NMOST is committed to expanding access to healthy meals after school to the 1 in 3 children who face food insecurity. We do so by conducting outreach in order to educate eligible programs about federal nutrition programs such as the At-Risk Meals Program. NMOST feels this is a necessary investment to improve the health and education outcomes of New Mexico's most vulnerable citizens.

Impact of Food Insecurity on Children and Youth

Feeding our Human Capital Too Hungry to Learn

Childhood Hunger in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 2020 No Kid Hungry Report

Podcast

Rethinking Hunger

— NMOST's Impact

— What is the At-Risk Meals Program?

The At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers Federal funding to Afterschool Programs that serve a meal or snack to children in low-income areas. In New Mexico, the At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program is administered by the Family Nutrition Bureau as a part of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD).

— NMOST Monthly Meals Newsletter

— Join the Food Program

Find a sponsor here.

— Funding and Grant Opportunities

Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – Funding & Opportunities
School Nutrition Foundation (SNF): Equipment Grants
USDA: Farm to School Grants
USDA: Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification Program
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): State and Local Policy Campaign Grant Funding

— Best Practices for Providing Meals during COVID-19

— New Mexico Resources and Reading Material

— National Resources and Reading Material

— What Individuals, Programs, and Legislators Can Do

— NMOST Infographics (Click on images to download the PDF)

— Fighting Hunger through OST archive

Our Sponsors

About NMOST Network

The New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network (NMOST) brings together policymakers, educators, childcare providers, youth development workers, and other stakeholders interested in ensuring positive youth development opportunities and outcomes through out-of-school time programs.

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