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Emergency Free School Meal Distribution across Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study

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Title: Emergency Free School Meal Distribution across Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study
Language: English
Authors: Emily M. Melnick (ORCID 0000-0003-3497-5626), Theresa Bui (ORCID 0000-0002-5986-9996), Francesco Acciai (ORCID 0000-0002-7881-7593), Sarah Martinelli (ORCID 0000-0002-2382-3056), Punam Ohri-Vachaspati (ORCID 0000-0001-9619-9816)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2025 95(7):481-489.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH)
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, School Closing, Hunger, Food, Barriers, Affordances, Family Involvement
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70016
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered nationwide school closures in March 2020, putting millions of children in the United States who depended on subsidized school meals at risk of hunger. In response, the US Department of Agriculture activated the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program to provide emergency free school meals. This study examined organizations' experiences implementing these programs from March 2020 to September 2021. Methods: The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, which included: (1) conducting in-depth interviews with managers at program sponsor agencies responsible for meal distribution (n = 9), and (2) distributing a survey to meal site managers (n = 41). We conducted thematic analyses of interviews and descriptive statistics for survey items. Results: Thematic analyses revealed challenges related to families' ability to access meal sites and communication gaps between organizations, hindering meal program implementation. Sponsors highlighted the benefits of federal waivers enabling grab-and-go options and extended pick-up hours, which enhanced operations and family participation. Survey findings also showed that most sites regularly offered fresh produce and whole grains during the pandemic. Conclusions: Continuing meal program flexibilities could boost family participation and expand equitable access to school meals during summers or school closures.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1474140
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Emergency Free School Meal Distribution across Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+M%2E+Melnick%22">Emily M. Melnick</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3497-5626">0000-0003-3497-5626</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Theresa+Bui%22">Theresa Bui</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5986-9996">0000-0002-5986-9996</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Francesco+Acciai%22">Francesco Acciai</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7881-7593">0000-0002-7881-7593</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+Martinelli%22">Sarah Martinelli</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2382-3056">0000-0002-2382-3056</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Punam+Ohri-Vachaspati%22">Punam Ohri-Vachaspati</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-9816">0000-0001-9619-9816</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2025 95(7):481-489.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH)
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Closing%22">School Closing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hunger%22">Hunger</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Affordances%22">Affordances</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family+Involvement%22">Family Involvement</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70016
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered nationwide school closures in March 2020, putting millions of children in the United States who depended on subsidized school meals at risk of hunger. In response, the US Department of Agriculture activated the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program to provide emergency free school meals. This study examined organizations' experiences implementing these programs from March 2020 to September 2021. Methods: The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, which included: (1) conducting in-depth interviews with managers at program sponsor agencies responsible for meal distribution (n = 9), and (2) distributing a survey to meal site managers (n = 41). We conducted thematic analyses of interviews and descriptive statistics for survey items. Results: Thematic analyses revealed challenges related to families' ability to access meal sites and communication gaps between organizations, hindering meal program implementation. Sponsors highlighted the benefits of federal waivers enabling grab-and-go options and extended pick-up hours, which enhanced operations and family participation. Survey findings also showed that most sites regularly offered fresh produce and whole grains during the pandemic. Conclusions: Continuing meal program flexibilities could boost family participation and expand equitable access to school meals during summers or school closures.
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  Data: 2025
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        Value: 10.1111/josh.70016
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: School Closing
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      – SubjectFull: Hunger
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      – SubjectFull: Food
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Family Involvement
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