Resources to Support Food Access in Schools and Communities

Millions of people, including more than 16 million children, are facing lapses in food assistance programs like SNAP. This doesn’t just affect families – it impacts the entire network of caregivers, educators, and community champions who keep children healthy and learning. 

Healthier Generation is committed to sharing tools and guidance to help schools support food security in their communities. Explore the resources below to take action and strengthen food access locally.

Resources for Families and Communities

Feeding America: Find Your Local Food Bank
Enter your ZIP code to find nearby food banks in the Feeding America network.

FoodFinder
Find a list of the closest food pantries in your community.

Hunger Free America
Find food assistance anywhere using this tool from Hunger Free America.

FindHelp
Search for free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.

WhyHunger
Use the WhyHunger Hotline & Find Food Database to connect with food pantries and grassroots organizations that provide access to free food and support services.

Feed the Children: How You Can Support Food Security in Your Community
Here are five ways you can improve food security and fight hunger in your local community.

Resources for Schools

Microlearning: Identifying Food Insecurity in Students, Families, and Caregivers
This 10-minute interactive course helps school staff recognize signs of food insecurity and respond with trauma-informed care and practical resources.

Mapping Resources to Support District Nutrition and Food Access| en Espanol
Identify and share available nutrition and food access resources in your district and community with students, families, and caregivers.

Training: Improving Food Access and Nutrition | Food Insecurity in Schools and Districts
This training provides guidance for schools and districts to improve food access and nutrition in their communities.

Guide: Supporting Food Security in Schools
Use this guide to educate staff on the signs and symptoms of food insecurity to ensure that all students, caregivers, and family members have access to available food resources.

Training: Strategies and Practices to Improve Food Access and Nutrition Holistically
This training offers practical steps and proven strategies to help school districts improve food access and nutrition in their communities.

More Ways to Help

Contact Your Local Food Bank
Find a local food bank and see how you can help – whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about needs and resources.

Spread the Word on Food Delivery Support
Instacart and DoorDash are helping SNAP recipients during the government shutdown. Instacart offers 50% off your next grocery order, and DoorDash will waive fees for 300,000 orders in November.

Organize a Food Drive
Support families in need by hosting a food drive. Share home-cooked meals or collect groceries for local food banks to help ensure children and families have access to nutritious food.

-By Nicole Blanton, Manager of Culturally Responsive Communications at Healthier Generation