USDA's Summer Meals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Participants and Non-Participants in 2021

Brooke L Bennett; Sarah L McKee; Kara Burkholder; Sandra M Chafouleas; Marlene B Schwartz

doi:10.1016/j.jand.2023.07.015

USDA's Summer Meals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Participants and Non-Participants in 2021

J Acad Nutr Diet. 2024 Apr;124(4):495-508.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.07.015. Epub 2023 Jul 22.

Authors

Brooke L Bennett¹, Sarah L McKee², Kara Burkholder³, Sandra M Chafouleas⁴, Marlene B Schwartz²

Affiliations

¹ Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut. Electronic address: brooke.bennett@uconn.edu.
² Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
³ Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
⁴ Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.

PMID: 37482269
DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.07.015

Abstract

Background: The US Department of Agriculture's school meal programs have wide reach during the school year, but food insufficiency among households with children increases during summer months. The US Department of Agriculture summer meal programs are designed to fill this gap, yet participation has historically been low.

Objective: To examine the facilitators and barriers to participation in a 2021 summer meal program while the COVID-19 pandemic regulation waivers were in place.

Design: Cross-sectional mixed-methods survey research.

Participants/setting: All parents/guardians of children enrolled in a school district in Connecticut were invited to participate in an online survey in December 2021. The respondents included summer meal participants (n = 622) and nonparticipants (n = 294).

Main outcome measures: Survey respondents reported demographic variables, current food sufficiency, communication preferences, satisfaction with the program, reasons for using or not using the program, and whether they found the program helpful financially. The survey included three open-ended questions about barriers to participation.

Results: Respondents who used the summer meal program indicated that the pandemic-related regulatory waivers were key to their decision to participate. Reported barriers included lack of awareness of the program, inability to travel to sites during the times they were open, lack of transportation, concerns about dietary restrictions, and lack of variety in the menu, and concerns about wasting food. Parents/guardians expressed strong preferences for receiving communication about summer meals directly from their child's school and being able to access meals outside of typical work hours.

Conclusions: The pandemic waivers allowed sponsors to test different models of distribution. Parents/guardians responded positively to the opportunity to access grab-and-go meals, multiple meals at once, and meals without a child present. These findings can be used to inform potential policy changes to reduce barriers and increase participation.

Keywords: Food insecurity; Mixed methods; National School Lunch Program; School nutrition; Summer meal program.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Food Services*
Humans
Meals
Pandemics
Poverty
United States / epidemiology
United States Department of Agriculture