More low-income Illinois children are participating in summer meal programs, but there are still nearly 686,000 eligible kids missing out, a new report shows.
About 112,000 low-income Illinois children received summer meals on a daily basis last July, according to the report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a national anti-hunger group.
That figure represents a 4.7 percent increase from July 2014, when about 107,000 low-income Illinois children accessed summer meal programs each day.
While advocates are pleased by the 4.7 percent increase, they point out that summer meals are reaching only one in seven low-income Illinois children who need them.
Last week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the population of food deserts in Chicago declined 21 percent over the past two years thanks to 15 new grocery stores, additional farmers markets and more produce carts. But those working on the ground to combat food-access issues in Chicago say the new numbers are not as sweet as they appear.
Gov. Pat Quinn reminded Illinoisans Saturday that they can double their money when using their LINK cards to purchase approved foods at 38 farmers markets in the state as part of the LINK Up Illinois Double Value Coupon Program.
It’s impossible to survive on $8.75 per hour, says Latasha Anderson, 31, an employee of Macy’s on Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. She
was one of three retail associates from her store to participate
yesterday in a citywide fast food and retail workers’ strike that prompted hundreds of employees to walk off the job.
A federal grant could double the number of Illinois farmers markets that accept electronic payments, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced Tuesday.
During
a conference call, Simon said 41 Illinois farmers markets will each
receive $1,200 from the Illinois Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
Wireless Project. The money comes from a $4 million initiative by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers markets.
A $182,000 federal grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture could provide up to 150 Illinois farmers’ markets with free
wireless machines that accept debit, credit and Link cards.
The
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Wireless Project is aiming to expand
access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Illinois’ low-income
residents. Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon
originally announced the plan, and Simon’s spokeswoman Kathryn Phillips
told Progress Illinois that farmers markets must apply for the grant by
July 9 (go here to apply). Illinois’ wireless EBT project is part of a $4 million nationwide effort by the United States Department of Agriculture to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at farmers’ markets.
More low-income Illinois children are participating in summer meal programs, but there are still nearly 686,000 eligible kids missing out, 
A federal grant could double the number of Illinois farmers markets that accept electronic payments,