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

Amanda A. Harb, Katherine J. Roberts, Julia E. McCarthy and Pamela A. Koch
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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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-11

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.

Keywords: school meals; school lunch; school breakfast; summer meals; participation; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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