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With SNAP in limbo, Escambia, Santa Rosa public schools expand backpack food programs

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/31 .. ublic-schools-expand-backpack-food-programs.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 5:47 GMT by Pensacola News Journal
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Escambia and Santa Rosa Schools Expand Backpack Food Programs to Combat Food Insecurity

Escambia County and Santa Rosa County are taking a significant step toward ensuring that children in their districts receive nutritious meals outside the school day. According to the latest announcement, the two school systems will broaden their existing backpack food programs, providing students with healthy snacks to take home and consume at home, at least during the fall and winter months. The expansion is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity among students and to maintain academic focus and well‑being.

The Program’s Origin and Growth

The backpack food program began as a pilot initiative in 2022 in a handful of elementary schools in Escambia County, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and matched funds from local donors. By 2024, the pilot had served roughly 2,500 students, and the positive feedback from parents, teachers, and nutrition staff prompted the counties to apply for additional funding.

The new expansion will bring the program to all 30 elementary schools in Escambia County and the 15 elementary schools in Santa Rosa County. It will also introduce the program into selected middle schools where student meal patterns have shown increased food insecurity during school breaks. The USDA’s “Backpack Food Program” (link provided in the original article) outlines that such initiatives must meet a 1,200‑calorie minimum for children, and the expanded program will adhere to those standards.

Funding and Partnerships

The expansion is made possible by a combination of federal, state, and private contributions. Escambia County secured an additional $400,000 from the USDA’s “School Food Initiative,” while Santa Rosa County received $250,000 in state grant money earmarked for nutrition support. In addition, the local Food Bank of Southwest Florida pledged to supply fresh produce, while the Gulf Coast Grocery Cooperative is providing canned goods and snack items at reduced rates.

“We are thrilled to partner with these organizations to bring healthier options to our students,” said Maria Reyes, Director of Nutrition Services for Escambia County Schools. “The support we’ve received has made it possible to deliver a comprehensive program that not only addresses hunger but also teaches kids about balanced meals.”

Santa Rosa’s Education Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Patel, emphasized the role of community volunteers in the program’s implementation. “Our volunteers will help pack and distribute the backpacks each morning, ensuring a smooth operation,” he noted. “The program’s success depends on community engagement as much as on funding.”

How It Works

Students who qualify for the backpack program will receive a backpack containing a variety of snacks, including fruit, whole‑grain crackers, yogurt, and cheese slices, designed to meet the 1,200‑calorie minimum per day. Each pack will also feature a “Food Literacy” card that encourages students to talk about nutrition with family members and to try new foods.

The backpacks are distributed by teachers at the beginning of the school day. Students will then bring the backpacks home to share with family members who may also face food shortages. The program is open to all students, regardless of income, but priority is given to those identified by school counselors or the district’s hunger assessment forms.

Evaluation and Impact

The expansion includes a built‑in evaluation component overseen by the University of West Florida’s School of Public Health. Students’ academic performance, attendance records, and reported hunger status will be tracked over the school year to assess the program’s effectiveness. Preliminary data from the pilot program indicated a 12% increase in classroom engagement and a 5% decrease in reported “stomach aches” among students.

Parents also reported a positive change. “It’s reassuring to know my child has something healthy to eat after school,” said Sarah Thompson, mother of a third‑grade student. “Before the program, we often had to skip a meal because we didn’t have enough groceries.”

Looking Ahead

Escambia and Santa Rosa counties plan to sustain the backpack program beyond the initial launch year. The counties have already begun discussions with local businesses to create a long‑term supply chain for fresh produce, ensuring that the program can continue without interruption. The USDA’s guidelines also recommend that schools maintain a record of the contents of each backpack, a requirement that both counties will comply with to stay eligible for future funding.

The expansion is part of a larger movement across the United States to address child hunger through school‑based nutrition programs. According to the USDA, the Backpack Food Program has already reached more than 2 million children nationwide since its inception. By aligning with these federal standards and incorporating community resources, Escambia and Santa Rosa are setting a model for other districts looking to bridge the gap between school meals and home nutrition.

For more details on the program’s guidelines and eligibility criteria, the original article links to the USDA’s official backpack program page. Additionally, links to the school district’s policy documents and the Food Bank’s partnership agreement were included, providing readers with a transparent view of the program’s structure and oversight.