Nutrition Policy Institute School Meals for All research was featured in a guest article in the summer issue of the California School Boards Association’s quarterly magazine, California Schools. The article highlights California’s School Meals for All policy, also known as universal school meals, which was implemented during school year 2022-23. NPI’s evaluation of this policy shows it is quite popular among parents and students, it increases school meal participation, reduces stigma and embarrassment around eating school meals, reduces hunger, improves the learning environment and school finances. Two-thirds of schools report improving the quality of their meals and more than half report incorporating more scratch cooking since implementing the policy, particularly upon receipt of additional support from the State of California via grants for kitchen equipment, training, local purchasing, and other Farm to School efforts. Despite these benefits, there is room for improvement in school food service, particularly related to staffing challenges, limited infrastructure, inadequate funding, burdensome paperwork, and students' desires for more freshly prepared meals, more variety and adequate time to eat. The article, “California’s School Meals for All Program: Evaluation reveals a host of benefits,” was authored by NPI’s senior policy advisor, Christina Hecht. Learn more about NPI’s School Meals for All research.
