Programs for Children
No child should have to worry about their next meal.
Across Alaska, 1 in 6 children faces food insecurity, making it harder for them to focus in school, sleep well, and grow into their full potential. Food Bank of Alaska partners with schools, child care providers, and community organizations to ensure kids have consistent access to nutritious meals—no matter where they live or the time of year.
Why Child Nutrition Programs Matter
Consistent access to nutritious meals is essential for children’s health and learning. Here’s why child nutrition programs matter in Alaska:
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More than half of Alaska’s public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, making school-based nutrition programs critical.
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Rural families often pay twice as much for groceries compared to urban areas due to high transportation costs and limited store access.
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In 2024, Food Bank of Alaska helped serve over 619,000 meals to children through Meals to You, SFSP, and CACFP.
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Studies show that children who eat nutritious meals perform better in school, have improved focus, and experience better long-term health outcomes.
Programs for Children
Food Bank of Alaska provides child nutrition support through the three key programs below.
Meals To You
Many children in Alaska face food insecurity, especially in remote communities where access to food is limited—particularly when school is out. Meals to You bridges this gap by delivering nutritious, shelf-stable meal boxes directly to children’s homes, ensuring they have the food they need—no matter how far they live from the nearest grocery store.
In 2024, Meals to You provided:
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583,040 meals delivered to children across 10 school districts
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5,300 students reached in rural Alaska
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Meals to You is part of a statewide effort that served 619,000 meals to children through multiple programs
Summer Food Service
As of the 2024-2025 school year, over 51% of Alaska's public school students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. When school is out, many families face added challenges in ensuring their children have enough to eat.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a USDA program, helps bridge this gap by providing free, nutritious meals, groceries, and snacks for children during the summer months.
The SFSP provides free meals to all children at participating locations, including:
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Anchorage School District
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Mat-Su Schools
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Talkeetna, Sutton, and Willow
Meals are available at no cost to all children—no registration or paperwork required. Just show up and enjoy a meal.
More information, including meal site locations and schedules, will be available in May 2025.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
Healthy meals help children learn, grow, and thrive. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a USDA program, supports child care providers, afterschool programs, and emergency shelters in serving nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care.
By ensuring kids have access to balanced meals throughout the day, CACFP helps build a strong foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
The program runs during the school year and transitions to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during summer break.