Research Highlights Food Preferences and Stigma as Barriers to Free School Meal Participation
A new study identifies food preferences and stigma as key barriers preventing students from participating in free school meal programs, highlighting the need for strategies to make meals more appealing and accessible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government implemented a policy allowing schools to provide free meals to all students, aiming to improve nutrition and reduce food insecurity. Despite increased participation, a significant number of students still declined these free meals, missing out on nutritional and academic benefits. A recent study by nutrition experts investigated the reasons behind this phenomenon, identifying key barriers from the perspective of school foodservice directors.
The study, published in the Journal of School Health, analyzed survey data from 599 foodservice directors across California and Maine collected during 2021–2022, along with follow-up interviews with a subset of participants. The findings revealed three main obstacles preventing students from eating free school meals:
- Perceptions that the food is unhealthy,
- Preference for home-cooked, fast food, or meals from external sources,
- Stigma associated with receiving school meals, viewed as a sign of lower income.
Lead author Deborah Olarte, an assistant professor of nutrition at NYU Steinhardt, emphasized that cost isn’t the only barrier to meal participation. Addressing students' and parents' perceptions and preferences, reducing stigma, and making meals more appealing could improve participation rates.
The researchers suggest strategies such as investing in scratch cooking, incorporating student feedback into meal planning, and extending lunch periods to make meals more accessible without logistical or stigma-related barriers. These steps are crucial as states consider universal free school meal policies, aiming to enhance the nutritional benefits and overall well-being of students.
This research underscores the importance of understanding and overcoming barriers beyond cost to ensure all students have access to healthy, appealing meals at school.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-food-stigma-students-dont-free.html
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