School Nutrition Services (SNS) Research

Publication: JAND

Date Published: June 2025

Reference: 

Orta-Aleman, D., Zuercher, M. D., Hecht, C., Hecht, K., Poudel, I., Olarte, D. A., Patel, A., Polacsek, M., Ritchie, L. D., Cohen, J. F. W., & Gosliner, W. (2025). Perceptions and experiences of universal school meals in California: Qualitative insights from school food authorities on participation, stigma, and operational benefits and challenges. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 125(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2024.11.002

Key Takeaways: Explores the perspectives of California Food Service Directors (FSD) in regards to the implementation of Universal School Meals. During the 2021-2022 school year. Conducted 29 FSDs with semistructured interviews. FSD found that USM offered a significant rise in school meal programs. Reduced Stigma on free and reduced price meals. Led to greater efficiency in meal service operations by eliminating eligibility-based meal tracking and streamlining the administrative process. Consistent access to meals leads to better student behavior and readiness to learn. However, it also put additional demand on kitchen staff, challenges in hiring and retaining staff, pandemic-related distribution led to difficulties in sourcing food items and supplies which impacted meal planning service. constraints in the kitchen infrastructure leading to hindering abilities to prepare and serve increased volume of meals.

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