Caregiver perceptions of England's universal infant school meal provision during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Published on: July 29, 2020
Emyr Davies1, Matia Vannoni2, Sarah Steele3,4,5
1Intellectual Forum, Jesus College, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
Free school meals were disrupted by COVID-19, with many schools altering provision. Caregivers reported lower quality meals and an increase in ultra-processed foods in packed lunches, impacting uptake and highlighting policy needs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Nutrition
- Food Policy
- Child Nutrition
Background:
- The United Nations (UN) identifies free school meals as crucial for child well-being.
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted universal infant free school meal programmes (UIFSM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate caregiver perceptions and responses to UIFSM interruptions in Cambridgeshire, England.
- To understand the factors influencing packed lunch choices and school meal uptake post-lockdown.
Main Methods:
- An opt-in online survey was distributed to 586 caregivers.
- Data analysis focused on perceptions of meal quality, variety, and reasons for packed lunch provision.
Main Results:
- 21% of schools ceased UIFSM or advised packed lunches post-lockdown.
- Caregivers noted a decline in school meal quality and variety, influencing uptake.
- Packed lunches often contained ultra-processed foods, driven by school policy rather than safety concerns.
Conclusions:
- School and government policies significantly impact meal quality and caregiver choices.
- Urgent action is needed to improve school meal quality and reduce ultra-processed foods in packed lunches.
- Policy interventions should address both school meal provision and packed lunch contents at national and international levels.
Abstract:
The United Nations (UN) recognises free school meals as critical, yet widely disrupted by COVID-19. We investigate caregiver perceptions and responses to interruptions to the universal infant free school meal programme (UIFSM) in Cambridgeshire, England, using an opt-in online survey. From 586 responses, we find 21 per cent of respondents' schools did not provide UIFSM after lockdown or advised caregivers to prepare packed lunches. Where provided, caregivers perceived a substantial decline in quality and variety of meals, influencing uptake. Direction to bring packed lunches, which caregivers reported to have contained ultra-processed foods of lower nutritional quality, influenced caregiver behaviour rather than safety concerns as claimed by industry. The quality and variety of meals, and school and government policy, had greater impact than concerns for safety. In the UK and at the international level, policymakers, local governments, and schools must act to reverse the trend of ultra-processed foods in packed lunches, while improving the perceived quality of meals provided at schools.
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