Statewide Universal Free School Meals Policies and Household Food Security

• In Event: Universal Free School Meals Policies: Impact on Child Health and Well-being

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity increased significantly from 2021 to 2023 among households with children. Statewide Universal Free School Meals (USM) policies remove household income eligibility requirements for children to receive meals at no cost through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (NSLBP), but it is unclear whether USM alleviates food insecurity more than NSLBP’s three-tiered income eligibility reimbursement system. The objective of this study is to estimate the association between statewide USM policies and both household- and child-level food insecurity.

Methods: We used a difference-in-differences approach with nationally representative data before and after the federal waiver expiration to compare changes in food insecurity based on changes in statewide USM policy among U.S. households with school-aged (6-17 years old) children (n=11,176). The primary outcome was household food insecurity, measured by the validated 18-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Scale, with a secondary outcome of child food insecurity, and stratified by household income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL) defined as eligible (≤130% of the FPL), near eligible (>130% – ≤200% of the FPL), and ineligible (>200% of the FPL) for free meals based on the three-tiered income eligibility reimbursement system under non-USM school meal policies.

Results: From 2021, when all states offered USM, to 2023, when only nine states had USM, households with near eligible incomes living in states that maintained USM had 8 percentage points (95% CI: -0.12, -0.04) lower probability of household food insecurity compared to those living in states that discontinued USM. For households with incomes eligible and ineligible for free meals, there were no significant differences by state USM status.

Conclusion: Statewide USM policies were associated with decreased probability of household food insecurity among economically vulnerable households with school-aged children whose incomes are low, but not low enough to qualify for free meals under the three-tiered payment system. Statewide USM policies may be a promising approach for reducing food insecurity among children and families who have not been traditionally reached by the social safety net.

Author

• Kelsey Leigh Kinderknecht, Harvard University
  Presenting Author