How Colorado hopes to combat food insecurity among students

Hunger has always been an issue in our state. Over the course of the pandemic, food insecurity amongst Colorado kids increased from 1 in 6 children to 1 in 3. Along with that, many families often were not filling out free or reduced-price lunch applications, making it difficult for schools and programs to identify kids in need of food. This resulted in inaccurate data capturing the number of “at-risk” students in schools – preventing schools from getting the funds needed to provide for kids experiencing economic disadvantages. Working to solve food insecurity calls for a multi-pronged approach – one that more effectively identifies students in households with low incomes, provides high-quality meals, and adequately funds schools so that all students get the food they need to be healthy.  

Our latest episode of The West Steps brings together two deeply interwoven topics that, when fully understood, could lead to transformative solutions for student poverty. Stephanie Perez-Carrillo, Colorado Children's Campaign alum; and Leslie Colwell, Vice President for Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, discuss the pressing issue of food insecurity in our state, and how a holistic method of measuring student poverty could ensure kids get the nourishing school meals they need to thrive. Food insecurity amongst students was only exacerbated by the pandemic. Districts’ inability to accurately measure “at-risk” students and receive adequate funding to support them calls for a reimagined system of identifying students experiencing economic disadvantage. The “at risk” formula is not the only issue area advocates are hoping to change. This legislative session, SB22-087 aims to create the Healthy School Meals for All program, which would provide free school meals to all Colorado students in participating districts. 

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