Participation in the US Department of Agriculture's Summer Meal Programs: 2019‐2021

Author:

Burkholder Kara1,Bennett Brooke L.2ORCID,McKee Sarah L.3ORCID,Cohen Juliana F.W.4,Xu Ran5,Schwartz Marlene B.6ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT; Department of Public Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs CT

2. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT; Department of Psychology Clemson University Clemson SC

3. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs CT

4. School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA: Department of Nutrition Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health Boston MA

5. Department of Allied Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs CT

6. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA

Abstract

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer meal programs are designed to provide meals at no cost while school is out of session. In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, several regulatory waivers were enacted to facilitate meal distribution. The aim of this study was to assess the rates of meal distribution before and after these waivers were in effect.METHODSMeal distribution patterns for 2019, 2020, and 2021 were examined through (1) a descriptive comparison of the number of participating districts, sponsors, meal sites, and meals distributed statewide, and (2) repeated measures ANOVAs to examine changes among districts in operation all years.RESULTSThe waivers were associated with an increase in the total number of participating districts, sponsors, and meal sites; an increase in the total number of meals distributed to children during the summer months; and an increase in meal distribution among sponsors that had been in place since 2019.ConclusionExpanding the area eligibility criteria and enabling flexibility in meal distribution methods increased the number of meals provided. This study provides important preliminary evidence to suggest that the USDA should consider permanent regulatory changes to this program to maximize its reach.

Funder

Agricultural Research Service

Publisher

Wiley

Reference18 articles.

1. National School Lunch Program.Economic Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. August 3 2022. Available at:https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food‐nutrition‐assistance/child‐nutrition‐programs/national‐school‐lunch‐program/. Accessed March 23 2023.

2. The Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study: Background and Study Design

3. Hunger in the Summer

4. Summer Food Service Program History.Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. March 31 2019. Available at:https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/program‐history. Accessed March 23 2023.

5. Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP.Connecticut Government. Available at:https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Nutrition/Seamless‐Summer‐Option‐SSO‐of‐the‐NSLP. Accessed March 23 2023.

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