Nearly six in 10 low-income parents say their children would not have enough food for some school days if school feeding programs did not exist, a situation that reflects the pressure millions of families face as the cost of food and back-to-school expenses rise.

A new national survey from No Kid Hungry, released Tuesday, found that 59% of parents with children in first through 12th grade consider school meals essential to ensuring their children have enough to eat during the school day. The study also shows that the economic problem extends to other family expenses. 83% of the parents surveyed said they were worried about not being able to buy all the food they normally buy due to the increase in prices, while 74% expressed concern about the cost of school supplies.

“Every parent wants to send their child to school ready to learn, without worrying about whether they will have enough to eat,” said Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind No Kid Hungry. "School meals offer more than food. They help children focus in the classroom while giving parents one less thing to worry about," he added.

Families face difficult decisions to make ends meet

The survey reveals that the increase in the cost of food is forcing many households to modify their habits in order to cover their basic needs. 70% of parents said they fear having to choose between paying household bills and buying healthy foods for their children.

In addition, 55% indicated that they have reduced spending on food, while 30% acknowledged having skipped meals to ensure their children could eat. Another 36% said there were times when their children did not have enough food because the family could not afford it.

The situation also affects Hispanic families. 60% of Hispanic parents surveyed said they or their partner had to take on an extra job or a second job to cope with rising food prices, compared to 54% of parents overall. For Joelanis Kercado, a Latina mother from Jamestown, New York, school meals are a relief during the day.

"At school, my daughters eat fruits and vegetables. They receive breakfast and lunch, and that helps us a lot," she said.

Hunger can also affect school performance

The parents consulted related the lack of constant access to nutritious foods with difficulties in the classroom. 67% said their children have trouble concentrating when they don't get enough food, while 52% believe they are more likely to have behavioral problems.

At the same time, 85% believe that free or reduced-price school meals help their children achieve academically and 86% believe that these programs provide them with a greater sense of stability. Nearly nine in 10 parents, equivalent to 89%, said that school meals reduce the stress related to feeding their children. Additionally, 71% stated that without these programs it would be difficult to also cover the costs of school supplies.

The survey comes as recent changes to assistance programs like SNAP, known as the food stamp program, and Medicaid could change the circumstances of some eligible families. No Kid Hungry recommends that parents check with their children's schools before the start of the school year to determine if they qualify for free or reduced-price meals and if they need to apply.

During the 2024-2025 school year, No Kid Hungry partner organizations helped serve more than 188 million meals to children and families in the United States. The survey was conducted online in May 2026 among 1,202 parents with children in grades one through 12 and an income level up to 185% of the federal poverty level. It also included an additional sample of 377 Hispanic parents.

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