Feeding Students During COVID-19-Related School Closures: A Nationwide Assessment of Initial Responses.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a nationwide assessment of child nutrition administrative agencies' responses to meal service provision during coronavirus disease 2019-related school closures.

DESIGN

Systematic coding of government websites (February-May 2020) regarding school meal provision in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, 5 US territories, and the US Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Education.

PARTICIPANTS

All US jurisdictions (N = 57).

VARIABLES MEASURED

Seven coding criteria were established to assess the strengths and weaknesses of jurisdictions' responses derived from emergency declarations, school closure announcements, and government websites on emergency school meals.

ANALYSIS

Descriptive analyses.

RESULTS

Most jurisdictions mentioned school meal provisions in school closure announcements (76.4%), provided easily interpretable information and/or maps about meal sites (57.9%), and included detailed information about school meal provisions in their coronavirus disease 2019 landing webpages (n = 26, 51%). Fewer provided updated and comprehensive implementation guidance (39.3%), referenced school closures in emergency declarations (37.5%), had clear communication/outreach to families (21.4%), or partnered with antihunger organizations (11.6%).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Understanding initial jurisdictions' approaches are critical to current and future emergency planning during school closures and reopening to help address food insecurity better, limit disease transmission, and prevent health disparities, particularly among at-risk populations.