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Comparison of Missing School Meals among Public Schools: How Did New York State Do during COVID-19?

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda A. Harb

    (Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)

  • Katherine J. Roberts

    (Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)

  • Julia E. McCarthy

    (New York State Health Foundation, New York, NY 10018, USA)

  • Pamela A. Koch

    (Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created barriers to participation in school meals. As a result, many students may have missed out on school meals. The objectives of this study are (1) to compare the number of school meals served by New York State public schools during the first spring and summer of the COVID-19 pandemic to the number served before the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) to determine relationships between the number of meals served and the levels of school district need and urbanicity. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of administrative data. The percentage change in the number of school breakfasts and lunches served was calculated for each month and by school district need level and urbanicity level. Results: The number of school meals served decreased during the first spring of the pandemic compared to the spring of the previous school year (−43% in April, −51% in May), while the number of school meals served increased during the first summer of the pandemic compared to the summer of the previous school year (+92% in July, +288% in August). Conclusions: Waivers may provide flexibility to increase participation in school meals, especially during the summer.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda A. Harb & Katherine J. Roberts & Julia E. McCarthy & Pamela A. Koch, 2022. "Comparison of Missing School Meals among Public Schools: How Did New York State Do during COVID-19?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:5838-:d:812916
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jason Jabbari & Yung Chun & Pranav Nandan & Laura McDermott & Tyler Frank & Sarah Moreland-Russell & Dan Ferris & Stephen Roll, 2021. "How Did School Meal Access Change during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Analysis of a Large Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Toossi, Saied, 2021. "COVID-19 Working Paper: Filling the Pandemic Meal Gap: Disruptions to Child Nutrition Programs and Expansion of Free Meal Sites in the Early Months of the Pandemic," Administrative Publications 327342, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Toossi, Saied, 2021. "COVID-19 Working Paper: Filling the Pandemic Meal Gap: Disruptions to Child Nutrition Programs and Expansion of Free Meal Sites in the Early Months of the Pandemic," USDA Miscellaneous 314932, United States Department of Agriculture.
    4. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P & Gregory, Christian A & Singh, Anita, 2021. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2020," Economic Research Report 327186, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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