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Universal free school meals through the Community Eligibility Provision: Maryland food service provider perspectives

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  • Hecht, Amelie
  • Neff, Roni
  • Kelley, Tam
  • Pollack Porter, Keshia

Abstract

Since 2014, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school meal funding option has enabled high-poverty schools nationwide to serve universal free breakfast and lunch. Evidence suggests that CEP has benefits for student meal participation, behavior, and academic performance. This qualitative study explores perspectives among food service staff (n=28) in CEP-participating school districts in Maryland on (1) implementation barriers, (2) implementation best practices, and (3) impacts on students, school operations, and the broader food system. Perceived benefits of CEP include increased meal participation, reduced student stigma and financial stress among parents, and improved staff morale. Most participants did not report any change in wasted food or relationships with local or regional farms associated with CEP adoption. Implementation barriers, including concerns regarding CEP’s impact on federal, state, and grant education funding, provide insight into potential policy interventions that may promote uptake. Best practices, including strong communication with parents and creative strategies to boost student meal participation, can be adopted by other districts.

Suggested Citation

  • Hecht, Amelie & Neff, Roni & Kelley, Tam & Pollack Porter, Keshia, 2021. "Universal free school meals through the Community Eligibility Provision: Maryland food service provider perspectives," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 10(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:joafsc:360292
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/360292/files/936.pdf
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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:6295 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Moore, Quinn & Hulsey, Lara & Ponza, Michael, 2009. "Factors Associated With School Meal Participation and the Relationship Between Different Participation Measures," Contractor and Cooperator Reports 292073, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    1. Kashyap, Pratyoosh & Jablonski, Becca B. R., 2023. "Diffusion of Universal Free School Meals in the United States: Examining Factors Influencing Adoption of Community Eligibility Provision," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335700, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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