Parent Perceptions and Opinions of Universal Free School Meals in Arizona

Abstract

To support families during the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA allowed all US schools to offer meals at no cost regardless of family income, a policy referred to as Universal Free Meals or Healthy School Meals for All (HSM4A). Despite the recognized benefits and popularity of HSM4A during the pandemic, the policy expired in June 2022. The goal of this study was to gather perceptions of parents in Arizona about school meals, the HSM4A program, and the discontinuation of HSM4A. In collaboration with a local anti-hunger group, using an online survey distributed in September and October 2022, we collected data from a diverse sample of over 2000 parents living in Arizona. Parents unequivocally supported HSM4A during the pandemic (97%) and expressed support for continuing to offer HSM4A (95%). High levels of support were seen across all groups in the study, including from individuals who identified as politically conservative. We also analyzed 750 responses to an open-ended question asking respondents to share their thoughts about offering meals to all Arizona students regardless of family income. The majority of emergent themes related to perceived benefits of HSM4A, including reducing financial burden and stress for families. Our findings will be useful for advocates and policy makers considering HSM4A legislation.

The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals

“…In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, waivers that allowed schools to offer meals free of charge to all students in school years (SYs) 2020–2022 were extended nationwide [ 8 ]. Research showed that, despite the multiple challenges faced while implementing this federally funded USM program, it provided numerous benefits to schools, students, and families, including increases in student participation in school meal programs and reductions in stigma, meal debt, financial burden, and stress for families, as well as in the administrative paperwork [ 4 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]. Demonstrating the impacts of this federally funded USM program helped some states pass USM legislation starting in SY 2022–2023 or in SY 2023–2024, and some additional states have introduced USM bills or formed coalitions to do so [ 11 ].…”