The Impact of Waivers on Summer Meal Participation in Maryland.
USDA waivers
child nutrition
food security
nutrition policy
summer nutrition program
Journal
The Journal of school health
ISSN: 1746-1561
Titre abrégé: J Sch Health
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0376370
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 2022
02 2022
Historique:
revised:
24
03
2021
received:
19
10
2020
accepted:
22
05
2021
pubmed:
24
12
2021
medline:
29
3
2022
entrez:
23
12
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that serves free, nutritious meals during the summer months. In 2019, 6 federal waivers that previously helped sponsors serve meals were rescinded. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to assess the impact of the waiver rescission on the experiences of SFSP sponsors in Maryland. This study analyzed responses from Maryland SFSP sponsors in a quantitative online survey and linked meal participation data for 2018 and 2019 (n = 29) and in-depth interviews (n = 11) about their experiences serving summer meals. Most respondents reported that the waiver rescission significantly impacted their experience serving meals, including increases in workload, spending and staffing; reductions in meal types (eg, breakfast); fewer meals served; and changing closed sites to open. Sponsors expressed desire for the state to apply for waivers on behalf of all SFSP sponsors in future years. The federal rescission of USDA summer meals waivers created substantial barriers for sponsors. To address the issues created by policy decisions, school food authorities and other SFSP should continue to work with researchers and antihunger advocates to share their experiences in order to shape state programs and policies.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that serves free, nutritious meals during the summer months. In 2019, 6 federal waivers that previously helped sponsors serve meals were rescinded. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to assess the impact of the waiver rescission on the experiences of SFSP sponsors in Maryland.
METHODS
This study analyzed responses from Maryland SFSP sponsors in a quantitative online survey and linked meal participation data for 2018 and 2019 (n = 29) and in-depth interviews (n = 11) about their experiences serving summer meals.
RESULTS
Most respondents reported that the waiver rescission significantly impacted their experience serving meals, including increases in workload, spending and staffing; reductions in meal types (eg, breakfast); fewer meals served; and changing closed sites to open. Sponsors expressed desire for the state to apply for waivers on behalf of all SFSP sponsors in future years.
CONCLUSION
The federal rescission of USDA summer meals waivers created substantial barriers for sponsors. To address the issues created by policy decisions, school food authorities and other SFSP should continue to work with researchers and antihunger advocates to share their experiences in order to shape state programs and policies.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
157-166Informations de copyright
© 2021, American School Health Association.
Références
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