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Universal Access to Free School Meals and Student Achievement: Evidence from the Community Eligibility Provision

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  • Krista Ruffini

Abstract

The school meals program is the largest nutritional assistance program for school-aged children. Whereas program eligibility historically was determined by family income, recent reforms allow schools to offer free meals to all students. This work evaluates the effect of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), the largest school-wide free meals program, on academic performance. I leverage within- and across-state variation in the timing of CEP participation and find universal free meals increases breakfast and lunch participation by 38 and 12 percent, respectively. Math performance improves in districts with baseline low free meal eligibility, particularly among racial/ethnic groups with low income-based participation rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Krista Ruffini, 2022. "Universal Access to Free School Meals and Student Achievement: Evidence from the Community Eligibility Provision," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(3), pages 776-820.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:57:y:2022:i:3:p:776-820
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.57.3.0518-9509R3
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ayllón, Sara & Lado, Samuel, 2025. "More than Just Lunch: School-Meal Subsidies and Language Proficiency," IZA Discussion Papers 17631, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Bonomo, Therese & Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore, 2024. "Trends in the school lunch program: Changes in selection, nutrition & health," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    3. Zhao, Vivian, 2025. "Free food for thought: The effect of universal free school meals on graduation rates in the US," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    4. Pratyoosh Kashyap & Becca B. R. Jablonski, 2025. "Universal free school meals: Examining factors influencing adoption of the Community Eligibility Provision," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 47(1), pages 199-216, March.
    5. repec:ags:aaea22:335700 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Alderman, Harold & Aurino, Elisabetta & Baffour, Priscilla Twumasi & Gelli, Aulo & Turkson, Festus Ebo & Wong, Brad, 2025. "Assessing the overall benefits of programs enhancing human capital and equity: a new method with an application to school meals," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    7. Rosa Weber, 2022. "Apprehension and educational outcomes among Hispanic students in the United States: The impact of Secure Communities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(10), pages 1-26, October.
    8. Davis, Will & Kreisman, Daniel & Musaddiq, Tareena, 2023. "The Effect of Universal Free School Meals on Child BMI," IZA Discussion Papers 16387, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    9. Marcus, Michelle, 2025. "Testing above the limit: Drinking water contamination and test scores," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    10. Joseph Owuondo, 2023. "Influence of State on Education, Innovation, and Industry Development: State of California Policy Impact Analysis," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 10(10), pages 107-114, October.
    11. Pamela Herd & Donald Moynihan, 2023. "Implementing the Expanded Child Tax Credit: What Worked, What Didn’t, and How to Move Forward," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 710(1), pages 58-74, November.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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