New Jersey report finds gaps in afterschool meal access

Hunger Free New Jersey says expanding afterschool meals could help more than 43,000 additional children and bring about $36 million in federal reimbursement to the state over a school year. The report points to uneven access across New Jersey and lays out steps for schools, communities and policymakers to expand participation.

Why it matters: - Afterschool meals can help fill a gap for New Jersey children and teens who face food insecurity after the school day ends. - Expanding access could reach more children, support working families and bring more federal dollars into local communities. - Hunger Free New Jersey estimates New Jersey could draw about $36 million in additional federal reimbursement over a 180-day school year if the state reaches a key participation benchmark.

What happened: - Hunger Free New Jersey released The State of Afterschool Meals in New Jersey as students start the new school year and communities observe Hunger Action Month. - The report reviews participation trends and access gaps in the Child and Adult Care Food Program’s At-Risk Afterschool Meals option. - The federal program provides free suppers and snacks to children and teens at eligible schools, recreation centers, community organizations and other afterschool programs.

The details: - New Jersey has made progress expanding the program, but access remains uneven across the state. - In 2025, the state reached just 4 out of every 100 children who receive free or reduced-price school lunch with afterschool meals. - The Food Research & Action Center benchmark is 15 children per 100. - Reaching that benchmark could serve about 43,498 more children in New Jersey. - The report includes county and municipality maps showing where afterschool meal sites operate and where gaps remain. - Examples from Union City, Clifton and Fulfill NJ show how schools and community organizations are pairing meals with existing programs and partnerships. - The report also includes recommendations for local organizations, state agencies and federal policymakers to reduce participation barriers. - Hunger Free New Jersey plans a series of virtual events for schools, municipalities, community organizations and other partners to discuss expansion. - The report is available here.

Between the lines: - The report is both a map of unmet need and a playbook for expanding a program that already has an infrastructure in place. - The emphasis on local maps and examples suggests the biggest barrier may be coordination and awareness, not just funding. - If more communities connect existing afterschool programs to meal service, the state could improve nutrition access without building entirely new systems.

What's next: - Hunger Free New Jersey will hold virtual events to walk schools, municipalities and community groups through the report and expansion opportunities. - Local organizations and policymakers can use the findings to identify gaps and decide where to add meal sites or partnerships. - The state’s next move will determine whether New Jersey closes the gap between current participation and the federal benchmark.

The bottom line: - New Jersey is serving far fewer children than it could through afterschool meals, and the report frames expansion as both a hunger-reduction strategy and a funding opportunity.