Distributing Summer Meals during a Pandemic: Challenges and Innovations

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health Policy
• Food Service Management

Background:

• The USDA summer food programs are crucial for child nutrition when school is out.
• The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges but also opportunities for innovation in food distribution.
• Regulatory waivers offered flexibility for program adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify effective practices for increasing participation in USDA summer food programs in 2021.
• To understand facilitators and barriers to family engagement in summer meal programs.
• To explore the impact of COVID-19 waivers on program delivery and participation.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with 16 food service directors (FSDs) in a northeastern state.
• Inquiry into meal distribution methods, participation barriers/facilitators, communication, and partnerships.
• Analysis of qualitative data using an immersion-crystallization approach.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: innovation from waivers, importance of community collaboration, ongoing pandemic-related logistical challenges, and reducing participation stigma.
• USDA waivers enabled FSDs to creatively address summer meal delivery challenges.
• FSDs reported waivers helped increase program participation.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 waivers empowered food service directors to innovate and improve summer meal program delivery.
• Community partnerships are vital for expanding the reach of summer food programs.
• Findings suggest that permanent regulatory changes to summer meal programs could enhance participation and address food insecurity.