Overview
The United States Department of Agriculture administered several entitlement programs that are targeted toward serving meals to children of low-income families. Although participation in the National School Lunch Program is widespread, participation in out-of-school and summer feeding programs remains stubbornly low. In 2012, the Walmart Foundation began a partnership with targeted grantees (Texas Hunger Initiative, National League of Cities, and YMCA of the USA) to address this issue and to increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This study sought to address the impact of operating programs year round, as well as to examine additional factors that might contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery.
Researchers used a mixed-methods approach to further understand the practices of grantees, sponsors, and sites and their relations to program efficiency and participation. Using a multi-pronged approach, researchers solicited survey responses, analyzed administrative data, and interviewed grantee and sponsor staff. The project involved funders, grantees, sponsors, and sites to determine the most efficient strategies to best serve low-income families. Through comparisons of various programs, the goal of the project was to educate after-school and summer feeding programs of the most dynamic practices to ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals year-round.
Research Team
- Barbara Fiese, Ph.D., Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
- Craig Gundersen, Ph.D., Professor, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, Baylor University
- Brenda Koester, MS, Associate Director, Center for Social & Behavioral Science
Contact:
Brenda Koester
217-244-6486; bkoester@illinois.edu
Funding
The Walmart Foundation generously supported this project.