#SchoolNutrition | AM 1180 Radio

August 7, 2026

One in Three Georgia Families With Children Struggle to Afford Enough Food, New Poll Finds

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #Children, #CommunityNews, #EmoryUniversity, #Families, #FoodInsecurity, #Hunger, #PublicHealth, #RollinsSchoolOfPublicHealth, #RuralGeorgia, #SchoolNutrition, #SNAP, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A new statewide poll conducted by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health found that one in three Georgia families with children experience food insecurity, meaning they do not always have reliable access to enough nutritious food.

The survey found that 33% of Georgia families with children reported low or very low food security, while 18% said they had skipped meals, gone hungry or eaten less because they could not afford enough food. Researchers also found that many parents are sacrificing their own meals to ensure their children have enough to eat.

Food insecurity was found to be especially severe in rural parts of the state. According to the poll, 43% of rural Georgia families with children reported food insecurity, compared with 31% of families in urban and suburban areas.

Researchers warned the problem could worsen as changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect, potentially making it more difficult for some families to qualify for benefits and increasing administrative costs for the state.

The poll surveyed 1,002 Georgia parents and highlights growing concerns about rising grocery prices, access to food assistance and the impact food insecurity can have on children’s physical health, mental well-being and academic performance.

May 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Summer Feeding Program Starts Next Week

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySchools, #chattoogahighschool, #FairwayRecreationCenter, #FreeMeals, #LeroyMasseyElementary, #MenloElementary, #northwestgeorgia, #SchoolNutrition, #SummerFeedingProgram, #SummerMeals, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County School Nutrition officials have announced the return of the Summer Feeding Program, providing free meals for children during the summer break.

The program will operate on Fridays beginning June 5th and continuing through July 10th. There will be no meal service during the week of June 29th through July 5th due to the Independence Day holiday.

The program is open to all children ages 18 and under. Families will receive seven days of breakfast meals and seven days of lunch meals for each child in the household at each pickup. Children do not have to be present to receive meals.

Pickup dates are Friday, June 5th, June 12th, June 19th, June 26th, and July 10th.

Meals will be distributed from 1:30 until 2:30 PM at Chattooga High School, Menlo Elementary School, Fairway Recreation Center, and Leroy Massey Elementary School.

Questions may be directed to School Nutrition Director Brandie Wooten at 706-859-3054.

March 23, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Lumsden Highlights Education Investments in Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Local News, Local News Items #AfterSchoolPrograms, #chattoogacounty, #EarlyLearning, #EarlyLiteracy, #eddielumsden, #EducationFunding, #FY2027Budget, #GeorgiaBudget, #GeorgiaEarlyLiteracyAct, #GeorgiaEducation, #georgiahouse, #GeorgiaLegislature, #GeorgiaSchools, #HearingScreenings, #K3Reading, #LiteracyCoaches, #MentalHealthSupport, #northwestgeorgia, #PreK, #PublicEducation, #SchoolFunding, #SchoolNutrition, #SchoolSocialWorkers, #StudentSuccess, #SummerPrograms, #TransportationFunding, #VisionScreenings, #wzqznews 0

State Rep. Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee says education remains the largest area of state spending in the Georgia House’s proposed FY 2027 budget, with major investments focused on early literacy, student screenings, pre-K expansion, and additional support for economically disadvantaged students.