Cohen Juliana F W, Chapman Leah E, Olarte Deborah A, Hecht Christina A, Hecht Kenneth, Minc Leran, Ohri-Vachaspati Punam, Orta-Aleman Dania, Patel Anisha I, Polacsek Michele, Ritchie Lorrene D, Zuercher Monica D, Gosliner Wendi
Center for Health Inclusion, Research and Practice, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Center for Health Inclusion, Research and Practice, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
J Acad Nutr Diet. 2024 Oct 9. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2024.10.001.
In the United States, a means-tested approach is often used to provide free or reduced-price meals (FRPM) to students from lower-income households. However, federal income thresholds do not account for regional cost of living variations. Thus, many ineligible households may be at risk for food insecurity. Universal free school meal (UFSM) policies may help address this issue, especially in states with a higher cost of living.
To evaluate parent perceptions of the influence of Massachusetts' statewide UFSM policy on households eligible and ineligible for FRPM.
Cross-sectional survey of parents across income categories conducted during the 2022-2023 school year.
PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Massachusetts parents (N = 403) with children in grades kindergarten through grade 12 with incomes ranging from <185% of the federal poverty level to >300% of the federal poverty level.
Parents' perceived influence of Massachusetts' UFSM policy on their child and household.
Analysis of variance examined differences in the perceived impact of UFSM by FRPM eligibility, adjusting for demographic characteristics.
Households that were FRPM eligible or near eligible were significantly more likely to report that their ability to have enough food for their family would be harder without UFSM (P < .0001) compared with those in the highest income category. Across all income categories, approximately 75% of parents reported that school meals should be free for all children, and UFSM saved their family money and time and reduced stress, with no significant differences by FRPM eligibility. Roughly half (52%) reported their household finances would be hurt and 42% of parents from households eligible for FRPM reported their child would be less likely to eat school meals if the UFSM policy ended.
This study found strong parent support of UFSM policies regardless of income level. In addition, parents perceived that discontinuing UFSM may adversely influence school meal participation, including among students from lower-income households, as well as food security among households ineligible for FRPM, particularly in areas with higher costs of living. Policies to expand UFSM should be considered among additional states and at the national level.
在美国，常采用经济状况调查方法为低收入家庭的学生提供免费或减价餐食（FRPM）。然而，联邦收入门槛并未考虑地区生活成本差异。因此，许多不符合条件的家庭可能面临粮食不安全风险。普及免费学校餐食（UFSM）政策或许有助于解决这一问题，尤其是在生活成本较高的州。
评估家长对马萨诸塞州全州范围内的UFSM政策对符合和不符合FRPM资格家庭的影响的看法。
在2022 - 2023学年对不同收入类别的家长进行横断面调查。
参与者/背景：马萨诸塞州有幼儿园至12年级孩子的家长（N = 403），收入范围从低于联邦贫困水平的185%到高于联邦贫困水平的300%。
家长对马萨诸塞州UFSM政策对其孩子和家庭的感知影响。
方差分析检验了根据FRPM资格划分的UFSM感知影响差异，并对人口统计学特征进行了调整。
与最高收入类别家庭相比，符合或接近符合FRPM资格的家庭更有可能报告称，如果没有UFSM，他们为家人提供足够食物的能力会更困难（P <.0001）。在所有收入类别中，约75%的家长报告学校餐食应为所有孩子免费，UFSM节省了他们家庭的金钱和时间并减轻了压力，无论FRPM资格如何，差异均无统计学意义。约一半（52%）的家长报告其家庭财务会受到影响，42%符合FRPM资格家庭的家长报告如果UFSM政策结束，他们的孩子吃学校餐食的可能性会降低。
本研究发现，无论收入水平如何，家长对UFSM政策都有强烈支持。此外，家长认为停止UFSM可能会对学校餐食参与产生不利影响，包括低收入家庭的学生，以及不符合FRPM资格家庭的粮食安全，尤其是在生活成本较高的地区。应在其他州以及国家层面考虑扩大UFSM的政策。
