Results of National Afterschool Meals Survey of Low-Income Families

September 10, 2013

Agenda

• Presentation of findings• Review of major takeaways• Key marketing and outreach learnings• Resources and next steps

2

Jillien MeierNo Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices

Lauren ComptonAPCO Insights

3

This report was made possible through the generous support of the Arby’s Foundation.

THANK YOU!!!

4

FindingsPresented by Lauren Compton, Associate Research Director, APCO Insight

EligibilityPoverty Income Ratio (PIR) ≤ 185%At least one child between 5 and 18 living in their householdHousehold decision makers

Sample Size & Margin of Error 1,000 national interviews (±3.1% at 95% confidence interval)

Data Collection Computer Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI) Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

Average Length of Interview 14-20 minutes

Field Dates June 14-25, 2013

5

Methodology

APCO Insight, the opinion research division of APCO Worldwide, designed and conducted the 2013 Afterschool Meals Survey. The research surveyed low income families in the United States. Quotas were placed during interviewing and data have been weighted to ensure a representative balance by region, income level and child age according to available census data for this population.

6

A majority of low-income children spend their afternoons at home

MULTIPLE RESPONSE

• 19% of parents say their children attend a supervised afterschool program or participate on a sports team

• 69% of these activities take place at school

7

Almost all children eat between school lunch and dinner, straining already

tight budgets

Families spend an average of $743 a year to provide afterschool food for their children

Families spend an average of $743 a year to provide afterschool food for their children

8

Many low-income families face afterschool hardships

• 59% of parents report that providing food afterschool can be challenging

• 25% of parents worry that their children do not have enough to eat between lunch and breakfast the following day

9

Parents are interested in affordable afterschool programs

• 3 out of 4 parents know of afterschool activities at their children’s schools

• 43% are aware of a free or affordable afterschool program in their community

10

1 in 3 low-income parents is aware of available afterschool food

• Participation among those who are aware of a program is 39%

• Participation is most common in urban areas; amongst lower-income families; and families that participate in other food assistance programs

11

Parents are interested in afterschool programs; free healthy food

increases interest

12

With more information, interest in programs increases

• As food insecurity increases, so does interest in afterschool programs that provide food

• 63% of parents say this program would be very helpful for their families; 94% of parents agree that it would be at least somewhat helpful

• Food and activities are major attractions

13

A plurality of parents prefer both a snack and a meal

• The most vulnerable populations prefer both a snack and a meal

• Very few parents choose neither a snack or meal

14

Parents are drawn to educational, recreational, and social activities

15

Parents are drawn to physical and educational activities

16

Very few parents report lack of interest in afterschool food programs

• Only 3% of survey respondents say providing free healthy food would make them less interested in participating

• Only 5% of respondents say they do not want their children served a snack or meal

17

Potential barriers include wanting children at home or uncertainty

regarding eligibility

• Those who are very interested are most concerned that their children may not qualify

• 44% of parents who say they are not interested report that their children are busy afterschool

• Very few cite that they have participated in the past and been unsatisfied

18

Timing of food service during afterschool programs changes

impact on families

• Majority of parents view snacks served at any time as additions to dinner

• Majority of parents view any food served before 4:30 as additions to dinner

19

Parents prefer to learn about the program through schools and in the

mail

Questions?

20

21

Major Programmatic Takeaways

Presented by Jillien Meier

What does this mean for afterschool meals?

• We should focus on schools for program promotion and expansion.• We need stronger connections with existing afterschool programs.• Outreach efforts should highlight availability of food, as food will

increase interest in the program.• Programs should serve both meals and snacks.• Programs and outreach efforts should target very low-income

families as their interest in both afterschool programs and food is highest.

• Connecting with other food assistance programs (WIC, SNAP) will enhance outreach efforts to target populations

• Outreach efforts should clarify program eligibility criteria and how children can participate.

22

• Partner with existing afterschool programs for outreach.• Target partnerships where families think about food and

receive food assistance.• Tap into local communications channels, including

schools, community centers, religious institutions, and libraries.

• Work with partners to include program and eligibility information on websites.

Key marketing and outreach takeaways

24

Resources and Next StepsPresented by Jillien Meier

http://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/Afterschool

•Memos– Clarifying Regulations for the Afterschool Meals Program for Athletic Programs– Clarifying Regulations for Streamlining Afterschool Participation for School Food

Authorities– Transitioning from the SFSP to CACFP At-risk Afterschool Meals– USDA memo– Athletic Programs and Afterschool Meal Service-Fact Sheet– USDA memo– Streamlining At-risk Meal Participation for School Food– USDA memo

•Toolkits from partners in the field:

– At-Risk Afterschool Meal Guide Washington State– Hunger Free Heartland Afterschool Nutrition Toolkit– Hunger Free Colorado Afterschool Meal Guide

Resources available on the No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices website

Thank you!

26