Mitigating childhood food insecurity during COVID-19: a qualitative study of how school districts in California's San Joaquin Valley responded to growing needs.

OBJECTIVES: To explore best practices and challenges in providing school meals during COVID-19 in a low-income, predominantly Latino, urban-rural region. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews with school district stakeholders and focus groups with parents were conducted to explore school meal provision during COVID-19 from June to August 2020. Data were coded and themes were identified to guide analysis. Community organisations were involved in all aspects of study design, recruitment, data collection and analysis. SETTING: Six school districts in California's San Joaquin Valley. PARTICIPANTS: School district stakeholders (n 11) included food service directors, school superintendents and community partners (e.g. funders, food cooperative). Focus groups (n 6) were comprised of parents (n 29) of children participating in school meal programmes. RESULTS: COVID-19-related challenges for districts included developing safe meal distribution systems, boosting low participation, covering COVID-19-related costs and staying informed of policy changes. Barriers for families included transportation difficulties, safety concerns and a lack of fresh foods. Innovative strategies to address obstacles included pandemic-electronic benefits transfer (EBT), bus-stop delivery, community pick-up locations, batched meals and leveraging partner resources. CONCLUSIONS: A focus on fresher, more appealing meals and greater communication between school officials and parents could boost participation. Districts that leveraged external partnerships were better equipped to provide meals during pandemic conditions. In addition, policies increasing access to fresh foods and capitalising on United States Department of Agriculture waivers could boost school meal participation. Finally, partnering with community organisations and acting upon parent feedback could improve school meal systems, and in combination with pandemic-EBT, address childhood food insecurity.

Schools and emergency feeding in a national crisis in the United Kingdom: subterranean class strategies

The role of ‘class strategies' in policy formation is sometimes unseen as plans are unrealised in practice over long periods of historical time. ‘Subterranean class strategies' are an extension of existing work on class to consider ‘class work' on policy in the ‘long unenacted'. Using the example of emergency feeding in a national crisis, the stark difference in school meal planning for post-World War 2 emergencies when compared to the COVID-19 crisis is discussed. Through an analysis of archival records, it is shown that ‘subterranean class strategies' - the devaluation of school catering expertise by the army and the private sector, the lack of co-operation of independent schools, and localisation and privatisation - diminished the role of schools in emergency feeding. The paper concludes by considering how the concept of ‘subterranean class strategies' could inform work on educational think tanks, privatisation and subsumption, and intersectional areas such as race. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Food insecurity in school-aged children

Food insecurity in the United Kingdom has been described as a 'public health emergency' which has been exacerbated by the onset and continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on research evidence and a reflective account from a current primary school teacher, this chapter highlights the multifaceted impacts of food insecurity for children in schools. It also draws attention to some important considerations around food, education and food-related interventions for practitioners supporting children in schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

School food at home: Brazil's national school food programme (PNAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have hindered students' food access, particularly low-income students who rely on schools for their primary daily meals. School food programmes have adapted to pandemic conditions by providing school food at home (SF@H). We conceptually explore the changing geographies of school food during the pandemic by examining adaptations by Brazil's national school food programme (PNAE) and then comparing it to regular school food provision. Our research is informed by 43 interviews with public officials and civil society representatives from all regions of Brazil, ranging from high-level technocrats to frontline responders engaged with school food. Rapid response through national school food policy allowed schools to provide food at home as a pandemic relief effort by creating novel alternative food geographies that keep schools at the heart of agri-food systems. SF@H provide local family farmers with an alternative commercialisation channel to those compromised because of social distancing measures. SF@H also provided students – and, for the first time, their families – with access to food during home-based learning. While this has been important, we find that even when the state provides SF@H as a pandemic relief measure, low-income families are subject to additional burdens that accentuate the inequalities previously ameliorated at schools.Alternate :ResumenEl cierre de escuelas durante la pandemia del COVID-19 ha dificultado el acceso a los alimentos de los estudiantes, en particular de los estudiantes de bajos ingresos que dependen de las escuelas para sus comidas diarias principales. Los programas de alimentación escolar se han adaptado a las condiciones de la pandemia al proporcionar alimentación escolar en el hogar (SF@H). Exploramos conceptualmente las geografías cambiantes de la alimentación escolar durante la pandemia al examinar las adaptaciones del Programa Nacional de Alimentación Escolar (PNAE) de Brasil y luego compararlo con la provisión regular de alimentos escolar. Nuestra investigación se basa en 43 entrevistas con funcionarios públicos y representantes de la sociedad civil de todas las regiones de Brasil, desde tecnócratas de alto nivel hasta personal de primera línea comprometidos con la alimentación escolar. La respuesta rápida a través de la política nacional de alimentación escolar permitió a las escuelas proporcionar alimentos en el hogar como un esfuerzo de alivio a la pandemia mediante la creación de novedosas geografías alimentarias alternativas que mantuvieron a las escuelas en el corazón de los sistemas agroalimentarios. SF@H brinda a los agricultores locales familiares un canal de comercialización alternativo para aquellos comprometidos debido a las medidas de distanciamiento social. SF@H también proporcionó a los estudiantes y, por primera vez, a sus familias, acceso a alimentos durante el aprendizaje en el hogar. Si bien esto ha sido importante, encontramos que incluso cuando el Estado proporciona SF@H como medida de alivio a la pandemia, las familias de bajos ingresos están sujetas a cargas adicionales que acentúan las desigualdades que antes se mejoraban en las escuelas.

Tasty and waste-free food: the alternative for improving the use of public resources in school feeding programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean

This article, authored by Dulclair Sternadt, Juan Pablo Mellado, Gabriela Rivas-Mari..o, and Daniela Moyano, explored the inclusion of gastronomy in School Feeding Programmes (PAE) in Latin America and the Caribbean as a means of enhancing programme efficiency. The article presented case studies from Chile, Colombia, and Guatemala to guide other countries in the region on how to incorporate gastronomy into their own PAE. These inputs, and their outstanding results - increased acceptance of school menus in the three countries and a decrease in food waste of around 20% in Chile and Colombia - are clear evidence for other countries to include gastronomy in their SFP as a powerful strategy capable of contributing to the optimisation of public resources invested in these programmes. Furthermore, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the article also included a food safety guide that outlined practices to ensure the safe delivery of food to students during the reopening of schools. The guide was divided into 3 sections, which covered planning for reopening, implementation of food safety principles to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and monitoring and follow-up during reopening. This article provide valuable insights and evidence-based recommendations to support the continued provision of food to students in the face of the pandemic.

Disrupted food supply chain's effect on school nutrition programs' ability to meet USDA nutritional guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in school closures and required school nutrition directors to shift their methods of executing the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The procurement of items, the composition of meals, and meal delivery were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to these changes, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released several waivers allowing for flexibility in meal patterns and meal delivery, while maintaining federal reimbursements to schools. Although school meals have yet to reach pre-pandemic participation numbers, school districts nationwide have experienced the effects of supply chain disruptions, therein impacting their ability to meet the nutritional standards of the NSLP and SBP. To mitigate supply chain issues and provide consistent, quality meals, School Food Authorities needed to leverage USDA's additional funding and waivers by continuing to innovate, establish, and communicate best practices for effective meal delivery.

Impacts of Covid-19 School Closures on School Food Service Revenue: Analysis of Public Local Education Agencies in Maryland.

BACKGROUND: The public health policies and school closures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have created disruptions in school meal programs. Research is needed to understand the changes in school food service revenue before and during the initial Covid-19-related school shutdowns. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study examining federal and state reimbursements as well as sales revenues for all public local education agencies (LEAs) in Maryland from school years (SY) 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 was conducted. Monthly changes in federal and state reimbursements for Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) were examined. RESULTS: In the SY 2018-2019, the total revenues from federal and state reimbursements for SBP, NSLP, SFSP, and at-risk CACFP were $272.9 million; in comparison, for the SY 2019-2020, the total revenues were $241.8 million (11.4% reduction from SY 2018-2019). On average, the school shutdown (during March to June 2020) was associated with a $450,385 (p-value < .01) reduction in federal and state reimbursements per LEA-month (41% reduction). CONCLUSIONS: The school shutdown during the Covid-19 pandemic was associated with a statistically significant reduction in school food service revenues across Maryland's public LEAs.

Parent Perception of School Meals in the San Joaquin Valley during COVID-19: A Photovoice Project.

School-based nutrition programs are crucial to reducing food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted students' school meal participation. This study seeks to understand parent views of school meals during COVID-19 to inform efforts to improve participation in school meal programs. Photovoice methodology was used to explore parental perception of school meals in San Joaquin Valley, California, a region of predominately Latino farmworker communities. Parents in seven school districts photographed school meals for a one-week period during the pandemic and then participated in focus group discussions and small group interviews. Focus group discussions and small group interviews were transcribed, and data were analyzed using a team-based, theme-analysis approach. Three primary domains emerged: benefits of school meal distribution, meal quality and appeal, and perceived healthfulness. Parents perceived school meals as beneficial to addressing food insecurity. However, they noted that meals were unappealing, high in added sugar, and unhealthy, which led to discarded meals and decreased participation in the school meal program. The transition to grab-and-go style meals was an effective strategy for providing food to families during pandemic school closures, and school meals remain an important resource for families experiencing food insecurity. However, negative parental perceptions of the appeal and nutritional content of school meals may have decreased school meal participation and increased food waste that could persist beyond the pandemic.

A qualitative process evaluation of universal free school meal provision in two London secondary schools.

BACKGROUND: In the UK, one in five households with children experienced food insecurity in 2022, defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Free school meals are a public health intervention aimed at reducing food insecurity amongst children. The provision of universal free school meals (UFSM) to secondary school-aged children is a novel and untested intervention in the UK. This study is a process evaluation of a pilot of UFSM in two secondary schools in England. The aim was to understand the feasibility, acceptability, cost implications and lessons for the implementation of UFSM. METHODS: 20 parents, 28 students and 8 school staff from two intervention schools participated in online qualitative interviews, as well as 4 staff from non-intervention schools. The Framework Method of thematic analysis was applied. These data were supplemented with student-led observations of school meal times, and school lunch uptake-data and cost information provided by the local authority delivering the pilot. RESULTS: UFSM in secondary schools is a feasible and acceptable intervention, with coherent goals of increased access to a healthy meal, reduced food insecurity and better nutrition. All participants perceived these goals were met. Acceptability was further enhanced by the perception that UFSM were supporting a greater proportion of low-income families than the national, targeted Free School Meal scheme, as well as being easier to implement. Potential barriers to implementation include limited school kitchen and dining infrastructure, meal quality and choice, and increased queuing times. Participants' concerns that UFSM may benefit middle- and high- income families not in need were not as prevalent as the perception that UFSM was an effective way to support all families with secondary-aged children experiencing food insecurity. CONCLUSION: This small-scale pilot study suggests that UFSM in secondary schools is feasible and acceptable, but more evidence is required from larger studies on the impact on long-term health, psychosocial and educational outcomes. Future, larger studies should also include detailed economic evaluations so this approach can be compared with other possible interventions.

'In most supermarkets food does not cost £3 per day ' The impact of the school food voucher scheme during COVID-19.

Households with children eligible for Free School Meals are at risk of food insecurity. This paper reports on a rapid-response study that investigated the impact of the school food voucher scheme during the COVID-19 crisis on young people, families and schools. It pays close attention to the reliance of the state on the goodwill of society and its citizens in feeding those most in need. The Capabilities Approach is used to highlight factors that inhibited and restricted the use of the vouchers to produce the capability of having good nutrition for children in need of Free School Meals. The approach moves towards creating a society where children and young people are able to lead a life of their own choice and contribute to key policy decisions. This qualitative study funded by the British Education Research Association was conducted between September 2020 and March 2021. The study posed two research questions: (1) how have schools responded to COVID-19 in relation to food during holiday provision; and (2) what have families identified as barriers to accessing the school food voucher scheme? Data collection involved online interviews with young people, schools and organisations (i.e. public health, director from the food industry. etc.). The findings highlight the difficulties with accessing and using the school food voucher and implications for future policy directions. Owing to this being a small-scale study, it is not generalisable to the wider population but does highlight localised issues.

Collaborative Strategies to Improve Nutrition Security and Education: Lessons Learned During a Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified disparities for underserved populations as accessing resources became more difficult. Dairy Council of California launched the Let's Eat Healthy initiative to address nutrition security through collaborative solutions in the school environment. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: To ensure nutrition security for children and families, nutritious food and nutrition education must go hand-in-hand. Improving access to high quality food can help address the health disparities that exist for people who are at increased risk for food insecurity. Nutrition education supports students' holistic learning and social and emotional learning skills. Nutrition education models must be increasingly flexible in the face of ongoing challenges. Collaborative efforts to connect food access hubs, such as schools, with support and resources to provide evidence-based nutrition education and agricultural literacy can equip individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and ability to make nutrient-rich food choices. CONCLUSIONS: Investments and strategies in nutrition security that utilize the Individual plus Policy, System, and Environmental (I + PSE) model, such as the Let's Eat Healthy initiative, will effectively influence positive behavior change and improve community health. Navigating challenges in a rapidly changing environment requires people and organizations to work together, across disciplines, to leverage knowledge, experience, resources, expertise, and creative thinking. Improving access to healthy food and nutrition education will be most effective when done through collaboration.

Examining the Geospatial Characteristics of COVID-19 Pandemic Summer Meal Distribution Sites in North Carolina

School meals are an important social safety net. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and community organizations were able to serve meals through federal summer meals programs (SMP) to reach kids in need who were not in school. It is important to understand how access to these programs may have been impacted across sociodemographic characteristics to prevent exacerbation of health disparities in future public health emergencies.To examine the geospatial characteristics of COVID-19 pandemic SMP distribution sites in North Carolina.Cross-sectional study of COVID-19 SMP distribution sites (n = 2,567) in North Carolina during the 2019-2020 school year.GIS was used to conduct a geospatial analysis. Pandemic SMP sites were mapped and spatially joined to US Census sociodemographic data and USDA Food Desert Atlas data, including designated census tracts. SMP site service areas were created for rural (10-mile) and urban sites (3-mile), and sociodemographic data aggregated within these areas to understand reach. Summary sociodemographic and food environment characteristics of meal sites were generated, and bivariate analysis used to assess group differences.There was a school meal site in 71% (267/368) of Food Desert Census Tracts. Census Tracts with meal sites had significantly higher levels of percent poverty (18.8% vs 13.2%) (P < 0.001), percent minority population (34.7% vs 25.7%) (P < 0.001), and a higher number of housing units without vehicle count beyond 1 mile from supermarket (56.3% vs 36.0%) (P < 0.001) compared to Census Tracts without SMP sites.In North Carolina, meal sites were generally well placed to serve those in the most need. Future work should try to understand factors determining SMP location. The use of geospatial analysis of sociodemographic characteristics and use of spatial location-allocation modeling to inform meal distribution sites should be further explored to prevent future exacerbation of health disparities.

Caregiver perceptions of England's universal infant school meal provision during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations (UN) recognises free school meals as critical, yet widely disrupted by COVID-19. We investigate caregiver perceptions and responses to interruptions to the universal infant free school meal programme (UIFSM) in Cambridgeshire, England, using an opt-in online survey. From 586 responses, we find 21 per cent of respondents' schools did not provide UIFSM after lockdown or advised caregivers to prepare packed lunches. Where provided, caregivers perceived a substantial decline in quality and variety of meals, influencing uptake. Direction to bring packed lunches, which caregivers reported to have contained ultra-processed foods of lower nutritional quality, influenced caregiver behaviour rather than safety concerns as claimed by industry. The quality and variety of meals, and school and government policy, had greater impact than concerns for safety. In the UK and at the international level, policymakers, local governments, and schools must act to reverse the trend of ultra-processed foods in packed lunches, while improving the perceived quality of meals provided at schools.

Nutrient Content and Compliance with Sodium Standards in Elementary School Meals in the United States Pre- and Post-COVID-19.

Various federal policies have weakened school meal nutrition standards in the United States since the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010, including temporary school meal nutrition waivers to promote post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery. This study used school menu and nutrient data from a nationally representative sample of 128 elementary school districts to examine differences in nutrients (average calories, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, total sugar, and fiber) and alignment with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sodium targets in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and in 2022 (post-pandemic). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance accounting for repeated measures within school districts, adjusting for geographic region and urbanicity. Small differences in the nutrient content for both breakfast and lunch were observed between 2019 and 2022. Most weeks met USDA sodium Target 1 for breakfast (≥95% of weeks) and Target 1 (≥96% of weeks) and Target 1A for lunch (≥92% of weeks) in both 2019 and 2022, although compliance decreased slightly when condiments were included. Additionally, meals provided on average 57 g of total sugar. Overall, many meals are already in alignment with lower sodium targets. Simple strategies, such as offering lower sodium condiments, can further reduce sodium in school meals. The total sugar levels observed highlight that the USDA should consider limits on added sugars in school meals.

Food insecurity in school-aged children

Food insecurity in the United Kingdom has been described as a 'public health emergency' which has been exacerbated by the onset and continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on research evidence and a reflective account from a current primary school teacher, this chapter highlights the multifaceted impacts of food insecurity for children in schools. It also draws attention to some important considerations around food, education and food-related interventions for practitioners supporting children in schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Systems Mapping of the New Zealand Free and Healthy School Lunch Programme: Perspectives from Lunch Providers.

As part of the COVID-19 economic recovery package, the Aotearoa New Zealand Government rolled out a universal free and healthy lunch programme to the 25% least advantaged schools nationwide. This study explored experiences of school lunch providers in the Hawke's Bay region. The aim was to create a systems map identifying points of intervention through which the lunch programme could be improved to meet the goal of reducing child food insecurity. Twelve lunch providers were interviewed to generate casual loop diagrams which were examined and integrated to form a single systems map. Seven themes arose during analysis: teacher support, principal support, nutrition guidelines and government support, supply chain, ingredient suppliers, student feedback and food waste. Teacher support was important for getting students to try new foods and eat the nutritious lunches. Principal support was a strong theme impacting opportunities for broader student engagement. This study employed systems science to highlight the importance of support from different stakeholders within the lunch programme to achieve the goal of reduced child food insecurity. Further work is needed to ensure the programme meets the wider goals of the government and community, and to determine the potential broader benefits of the programme.

Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: Challenges and Benefits for School Meals Programs in Maine.

School meals play a major role in supporting children's diets and food security, and policies for universal school meals (USM) have the potential to contribute to positive child health outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools provided free school meals to all students in the United States, but this national USM policy ended in school year (SY) 2022-2023; however, a few states have adopted policies to continue USM statewide for SY 2022-2023. Research examining the challenges and strategies for successful continuation of USM is essential, along with studying pandemic-related challenges that are likely to persist in schools. Therefore, we conducted a study in Maine (with a USM policy) to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and the concurrent implementation of USM, as well as examine differences in implementation by school characteristics, throughout the state. A total of n = 43 school food authorities (SFAs) throughout Maine completed surveys. SFAs reported multiple benefits of USM including increased school meal participation; reductions in the perceived stigma for students from lower-income households and their families; and no longer experiencing unpaid meal charges and debt. SFAs also experienced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding costs. When considering future challenges, most respondents were concerned with obtaining income information from families, product and ingredient availability, and the costs/financial sustainability of the school meal programs. Overall, USM may have multiple important benefits for students and schools, and other states should consider implementation of a USM policy.

Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California.

Universal school meals (USM) have the potential to increase access to healthy food for millions of U.S. students. This study evaluated school food authorities' (SFA) perspectives of federal USM in response to COVID-19 (school year (SY) 2021-22) and California's upcoming USM policy in the SY 2022-23. In February 2022, all SFAs in California (n = 1116) were invited to complete an online survey. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression examining differences by school demographic characteristics were used. Five hundred and eighty-one SFAs completed the survey; 63% of them first implemented USM during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reported benefits included increased student meal participation (79.2%) and reduced stigma (39.7%). Top challenges included staffing (76.9%) and meal packaging/solid waste (67.4%). Nearly all SFAs reported pandemic-related challenges procuring the necessary types (88.9%) and amounts of foods (85.9%), and non-food supplies/equipment (82.6%). Over 40% reported that federal reimbursements were insufficient to cover costs. SFAs with <40% FRPM-eligible students and/or higher student enrollment reported more current challenges and future concerns than those with ≥40% FRPMs and lower student enrollment. The top resources requested to implement CA's USM included additional facilities/equipment (83.8%), communications/marketing (76.1%), increasing meal participation (71.5%), and financial management (61.5%). Most California SFAs reported that implementing federal USM had the intended effect of feeding more children. This study's findings may be useful to the several other U.S. states implementing universal school meals in the SY 2022-23, and to other states or countries considering adopting a USM policy in the future.

Geospatial Reach of the Maryland COVID-19 School Meals Response: Spring 2020.

OBJECTIVE: Examine characteristics of pandemic meal site (n = 602) location and meals served per site in Maryland, Spring 2020, following federal/state waivers for local meal site placement decision-making. METHODS: Using geographic information systems, we connected meal sites to census tract-level data and generated service areas from sites and distances from population-weighted census tract centroids to the closest pandemic meal site. Regression analysis determined associations of census tract pandemic meal site count and meals served per site with socioeconomic and demographic variables. RESULTS: Census tracts with more meal sites were urban (P < 0.001), food deserts (P < 0.001), and had higher percentages of children in poverty (P < 0.001). Sites serving fewer meals were in food deserts (P < 0.001) and areas with more children in poverty (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Waivers allowing local meal site placement decision-making supported meal sites in high-need areas. Geospatial approaches could optimize site locations to ensure maximum reach to populations in need. Additional supports may be needed to ensure children in poverty areas receive meals distributed at these sites.

Exploring the role of youth work in the fight against the novel coronavirus in Cape Town

The study aimed to investigate the resourcefulness of young people in response to COVID-19 in Cape Town. A qualitative research method was used, and a purposive sampling technique to select the participants. The study selected 10 young people who were at the forefront against the pandemic. A participatory approach through one-on-one semi-structured interviews was used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, and the results presented in raw data to achieve the study objective. The rapid spread of the coronavirus in South Africa affected the health and social lives of young people. Cutting off access to school because of lockdown measures resulted in malnutrition for young people who depend on school food schemes. The study findings revealed that digital dexterity, community screening, food parcel distribution, social distance monitoring, and educational awareness comprise the strong reaction that young people embarked on in response to COVID-19. In conclusion, the study recommends that the National Youth Development Agency should offer a grant for young emerging social entrepreneurs during and after COVID-19 to respond to societal issues that affect them and promote community development.