Helping Families Get Enough Food in Winter

Posted: October 15, 2024

Winter can be a tough season for many families. Learn about factors that make it hard for families to afford food, how food insecurity can affect children in your care, and how child care providers can help families.

Frost covers a red strawberry, two dried up yellow strawberries, brown leaves, and blades of grass.

Frost covers a red strawberry, two dried up yellow strawberries, brown leaves, and blades of grass.

Winter is a time when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. As we get together to celebrate the autumn harvest and winter holidays, it is important to keep in mind that this can be a tough season for many families. As the weather cools off, there are several factors that can make it hard for families to afford basic needs such as food. When a person or family doesn’t have enough food to meet their needs or limits the types of foods that they purchase to stretch their food dollar, it is called "food insecurity."

Why is winter hard for some families?

  • Heating costs: Families need to keep their homes warm. Heating bills can be high in winter. This leaves less money for food, and families must decide whether to pay the utility bill or keep the pantry full.
  • Employment changes: Some jobs can be slower in winter. Parents might work fewer hours and earn less money. Seasonal jobs like landscaping, agricultural jobs, and service jobs can be inconsistent throughout the year.
  • Fresh food prices: Fruits and vegetables can cost more in winter because they need to be shipped from warmer climates. This makes it harder to buy healthy foods at an affordable price. 

How does this affect children? 

  • Hunger: Kids might not get enough to eat at home. Or the meals that they do get to stretch the food budget might be less healthy, like shelf-stable noodles or cereal.
  • Health problems: Without nutritious food, children can get sick more easily.
  • Learning issues: Hungry kids can have difficulty focusing or might act up more than usual. 

What can child care providers do? 

  • Offer healthy meals and snacks: Provide fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains during the day. If you are a CACFP provider, the meal pattern already ensures that you are serving these nutritious foods.
  • Share information: Tell parents about local food banks and meal programs. This can be done in the parent newsletter or by posting on a community bulletin board. By making the information available to everyone, it removes some of the stigma that families might feel when looking for assistance.
  • Create a warm space: Make your center a welcoming place where kids and families feel safe and included. Are there ways that you can make extra food or resources available to families at your center?
  • Connect families with information and resources: Beyond providing information about community resources, you can offer tips and recipes on cooking healthy meals on a budget. Local Extension programs offer programs that teach families how to eat healthy on a budget. You can reach out to your county Extension office to see what is available in your area.
  • Think about colleagues: Recent research suggests that many child care providers struggle with food insecurity at times. If you know or suspect a co-worker or employee is struggling, think about what you can do to support them. 

Remember: As a child care provider, you play a big role in helping children stay healthy and happy. By supporting families during the winter months, you make a positive difference in their lives.

For more information and resources