Getting Enough Food: How to Help Your Family

Sometimes a family isn't able to get enough healthy food or worries about running out of food. This is called food insecurity. A family that has food insecurity doesn't have regular access to nutritious foods that help children have an active, healthy life. Food insecurity can be different for different families. Some children weigh less than they should because they don't get enough to eat. Other children may be overweight because their only food choices are high in fat and sugar. There are ways to help you and your family get healthy foods.

• Keep all appointments with your child's health care provider.

• If your family can't get enough healthy food, these resources can help. You can find them on the internet.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 

WIC provides money for food such as formula, infant cereal, fruits, and vegetables to low-income pregnant women and new moms, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Find more information online at www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a nutrition assistance program that helps families with their food budget so they can buy healthy food. Families can buy a variety of foods like fruits and vegetables, meats, and dairy products. You must apply in the state where you live, and you must meet certain income rules. Find more information online at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

School Breakfast Program 

This federal program in public and nonprofit private schools provides free or low-cost breakfast to all eligible children based on household income and family size. Find more information online at www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program

National School Lunch Program

This program provides free and low-cost meals to kids in public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Find more information online at www.benefits.gov/benefit/366

Summer Food Service Program 

This program makes sure kids get healthy food when school is out. It provides free meals during the summer to kids and teens 18 years and younger. Find more information online at www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program

National Hunger Hotline

The USDA's National Hunger Hotline connects families with emergency food sources in the community such as food banks, government assistance programs, and other social services. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. Find more information online at www.hungerfreeamerica.org/about/our-work/usda-national-hunger-hotline

• you need help reaching the resources above

• you are concerned that your child is not gaining weight

• your child looks pale or seems very tired

• your child is fussy and can't be comforted