Impact of State-Wide Universal Free School Meal Policies

Monday, October 13, 2025

8 AM - 9 AM CT

Proficiency: Intermediate knowledge/experience

Tracks: Culinary Trends, Foodservice Innovation, & School Nutrition, Policy & Advocacy, Public Health & Community Nutrition

CPE: 1.0

Description

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide waivers for schools to provide free school meals to all students, a policy known as universal free school meals (UFSM). While this national policy ended in the summer of 2022, multiple states passed state-wide UFSM policies, enabling all students within the state to receive school meals at no cost. There is newly emerging evidence highlighting the benefits and challenges of state-level UFSM policies as well as de-implementing UFSM policies in states without these policies. This spotlight session will provide a detailed discussion of the latest research examining the impact of state-wide UFSM policies (as well as the impact of de-implementing UFSM) on outcomes including school meal participation rates, food service revenues, and meal debt, as well as the impact on both parents and students, including stigma regarding school meals. The impact of this policy on nutrition disparities and food security will also be discussed. Newly emerging research examining policies that compliment and strengthen UFSM policies—such as longer lunch periods and competitive food policies— will also be discussed. Lastly, tools and skills to effectively advocate for and/or implement these policies in schools will be discussed.

Planned with the School Nutrition Services DPG

Learning Objectives

Identify the benefits/challenges of UFSM and utilize this knowledge to plan effective school nutrition strategies to address these challenges (e.g., school meal debt and participation).
Describe the impact of UFSM/de-implementing UFSM on parent and child stigma and utilize this knowledge to plan strategies to reduce stigma in schools.
Define policies that compliment UFSM (e.g., longer lunch periods and competitive food policies) and utilize this knowledge to effectively advocate for and/or implement these policies.

Performance Indicators

3.3.3 Identifies opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with individuals or organizations with shared visions.
13.3.2 Applies community-based and population-based models and theories in the development of programs and interventions.
13.1.2 Leads or participates in the development of food and health policies.

Speaker

Juliana Cohen

Professor of Nutrition, Merrimack College & Harvard TH Chan School of Pubic Health

Juliana Cohen is a Professor of Nutrition and Director of the Center for Health Innovation, Research, and Policy at Merrimack College and an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Cohen is an internationally recognized expert on school nutrition policies and interventions, with two decades of experience collaborating with diverse school districts. Her research centers on the identification, evaluation, and dissemination of effective school nutrition policies and initiatives to address diet-related disparities and reduce the risk of obesity among children. Her school-based research is currently cited on the United States Department of Agriculture’s websites, has been used by the U.S. Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) to develop recommendations for school meal policies, and was cited as evidence in the United States Department of Agriculture’s proposed rules for the updated school meal standards. Dr. Cohen is a Registered Dietician and also has a doctorate in Nutrition from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, where she also received a Master’s in Society, Human Development, and Health.

Moderator

Donna Martin

School Nutrition Consultant, School Nutrition Solutions

Martin is the retired director of the Burke County (GA) school nutrition program. Martin served as the Academy’s President in 2017-2018. Martin is a graduate of the University of Georgia and earned a master’s degree from the University of Alabama – Birmingham and an education specialist degree from Augusta University. In 2016, Donna’s work in the Burke County Public Schools nutrition program gained national attention when Michelle Obama and Al Roker visited Burke County to help plant a school garden. Donna was then invited to speak at the White House for Michelle Obama’s capstone event. Donna was also awarded the 2016 Golden Radish Award for the state of Georgia because of her efforts in the Farm to School Movement. Donna has been involved in numerous public policy initiatives including testifying before Congress about the new School Nutrition Standards and to the House of Representatives Staff on the Farm to School Bill. Donna got to speak at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on the importance of School Meals. Donna is on the GenYouth Board of Directors, is a National Dairy Ambassador, a No Kid Hungry Consultant and a trainer for the Institute of Child Nutrition.

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!