California is among the first in the nation to adopt a “universal school meals” program offering breakfast and lunch to all TK-12 students at public and charter schools every instructional day, at no charge, regardless of household income. California’s program began in the 2022-23 school year, as federal funding of temporary universal school meals through the Seamless Summer Option and USDA waivers allowing flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic ended.
The Nutrition Policy Institute was funded to conduct formative, process and impact evaluation by the State of California. The latest news, research briefs and publications from our research team are included below.
Research Briefs
Colorado Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students
Nutrition Policy Institute, March 2025.
Evaluation of Universal School Meals in California
Nutrition Policy Institute, March 2025
Current State of Processed Foods in Schools
Nourish Lab, March 2025
The State of School Meals for All in California
Nutrition Policy Institute, February 2025
Texas Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students
Nutrition Policy Institute, August 2024
School Meals for All Supports Students and Families
[Available in Spanish - Programa Universal de Comidas Escolares Beneficia a Estudiantes y Familias]
Nutrition Policy Institute, December 2024
Arizona Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students
Nutrition Policy Institute, August 2024
School Meals for All in California: Government investments are associated with better meal operations, labor practices, and local food sourcing
Nutrition Policy Institute, May 2024
School Meals for All in California: Strongly supported by parents of all income levels
Nutrition Policy Institute, March 2024
Impact of Massachusetts’ Healthy School Meals for All
Nourish Lab, March 2024
Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and Beyond: School Food Authority and Parent Perspectives in California and Maine
Share Our Strength, September 2023
The Many Benefits of School Meals for All
Nutrition Policy Institute, Arizona State University, Merrimack College, Boise State University, August 2023
School Meals for All: Farm Fresh Food
Nutrition Policy Institute, June 2023
School Meals for All in California: Parents Value School Meals for All and Offer Suggestions to Strengthen Meal Programs
Nutrition Policy Institute, May 2023
School Meals for All in California: Time to Eat Can Be a Barrier to Full Participation
Nutrition Policy Institute, April 2023
School Meals for All in California: Benefits and Challenges During COVID and Beyond as Reported by School Food Services
Nutrition Policy Institute, August 2022
Reports
Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: School Food Authority and Parent Perspectives
Share Our Strength, September 2023
Publications
Understanding Free or Reduced-Price School Meal Stigma: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent Perspectives
Journal of School Health, April 2025
California Middle and High School Students Report Wanting Fresh and Healthy School Lunch in the Context of Universal School Meals
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, February 2025
Impact of mealtime social experiences on student consumption of meals at school: a qualitative analysis of caregiver perspectives
Public Health Nutrition, February 2025
Factors and Outcomes Associated With Using Scratch-Cooked, Organic, and Locally Grown Foods in School Meals in California
Journal of School Health, January 2025
Perceptions and experiences of Universal School Meals in California: Qualitative insights from school food service directors on participation, stigma, and operational benefits and challenges
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, November 2024
Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Parental Perceptions of and Student Participation in School Meals
Nutrients, October 2024
Students’ Perspectives on the Benefits and Challenges of Universal School Meals Related to Food Accessibility, Stigma, Participation, and Waste
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, June 2024
The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals
Nutrients, June 2024
Universal School Meals During the Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Parent Perceptions from California and Maine
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, May 2024
School Meals for All: A Qualitative Study Exploring Lessons in Successful Advocacy and Policymaking in Maine and California
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, May 2024
Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs
[Press Release] [Podcast]
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, April 2024
Parent perceptions of school meals and how perceptions differ by race and ethnicity
Health Affairs Scholar, January 2024
Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: Challenges and Benefits for School Meals Programs in Maine
Nutrients, September 2022
Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California
Nutrients, September 2022
In the News
Zócalo Public Square - Thanks, COVID-19, for Giving Kids Free Lunch - Universal School Meals Help Students, Families, and Schools (18 November 2024)
Phys.org - Study says parent perceptions of school meals influence student participation in school meal programs (15 April 2024)
Elsevier - Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs (15 April 2024)
EurekAlert! - Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs (15 April 2024)
Foodservice Director - Many parents say school meals can save them money but still view them as unhealthy, study reveals (29 January 2024)
The New York Times - What if Every Kid Got a Free Lunch? (19 January 2023, print only)
Los Angeles Times - Gran reto logístico implica los alimentos gratis en las escuelas. ¿Cómo resolverlo? (15 September 2022)
Public Comments and Testimonies
Testimony - California Universal School Meals Oversight & Proposals
California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance, 20 March 2024; testimony of Christina Hecht, PhD, Nutrition Policy Institute
More information
Learn more about our national team evaluating universal school meal policies across the nation.
Learn more about which states are implementing universal school meal policies.
For more information about the California Universal School Meals evaluation, please contact Wendi Gosliner (wgosliner@ucanr.edu) or Lorrene Ritchie (lritchie@ucanr.edu).