A state-based model to end hunger by 2015: The Colorado Campaign to End Childhood Hunger

INTRODUCTION

Share Our Strength is launching No Kid Hungry Campaigns--public-private partnerships at the state or city level—to develop and implement measureable plans to end childhood hunger. Campaigns have three primary goals: 1) Improve access to public and private programs that provide food to families and their children who need it; 2) Strengthen community infrastructure and systems for getting healthy food to children; and 3) Improve families' knowledge about available programs, healthy food choices and how to get the most from limited resources. One such campaign, the Colorado Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, is successfully bringing the nutrition and anti-hunger community together to achieve these goals.

METHODS

The Colorado Campaign to End Childhood Hunger focuses on increasing participation in federal food and nutrition programs, with an overall mission to end childhood hunger in Colorado by 2015. In 2010, priorities targeted school breakfast and summer meals programming. The Campaign collaborates with private, public and funding partners. Other aspects of the Campaign include food and nutrition education, food policy initiatives, and addressing school meal quality.

RESULTS

Due to Campaign efforts in 2010, Colorado non-profits and school districts served 26% more summer meals to children than in 2009, and schools served 17% more school breakfasts in October 2010 compared to October 2009. DISCUSSION

No Kid Hungry Campaigns provide innovative and effective models for combating hunger, reducing obesity and improving health. This model can be used to advance efforts in other public health problem areas, and can be replicated across the nation.