Research & Practice
Auburn School District Summer Meals Evaluation
The purpose of the Auburn School District’s summer meal programs is to provide nutritious, free meals to children aged 18 and younger in low income during the summer months. Individuals and families with low income struggle to purchase necessities such as food. The inability to purchase adequate food due to limited resources is known as food insecurity. Food insecurity is linked to adverse health outcomes and poor academic performance, and food insecurity is more prevalent for children and families in the summer months. By providing free meals to children in the summer, the summer meal program aims to alleviate food insecurity while also improving academic and health outcomes in children. About 8000 more free and reduced meals are served per day during the school year than free meals served per day during the summer months at Auburn. This difference demonstrates room for growth of the summer meal program. The purpose of this evaluation is to understand motivations and barriers to use of the summer meal program and to make recommendations to reach more children with summer meals in the Auburn school district.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum, PH Concentration Poster
Author(s): Laura Tripp
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2020
Adviser(s):