Caregiver Perceptions of USDA Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals for Children in California

TL;DR

This study explores how caregivers in California perceive the USDA's new rural non-congregate summer meal program for children.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into caregiver experiences with the 2024 SUN Meals To-Go program in California.

Findings

Most caregivers used the program frequently, with 55% using it 'most times' or 'every time'.

Three key themes emerged: family support, program accessibility, and food quality and nutrition.

Caregivers appreciated the program's support for children's nutrition and offered suggestions for improvement.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In 2023, the United States Congress amended Section 13 of the National School Lunch Act to allow non-congregate meal service as an option within the Summer Food Service Program in rural areas, creating “SUN Meals To-Go.” The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore caregivers’ perceptions of USDA rural non-congregate summer meal programs in California during the summer of 2024. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, qualitative study using an electronic 20-item survey instrument that was available in English and Spanish. Five school foodservice directors in California shared and/or posted at meal pick-up sites a flyer with a QR code leading caregivers to the survey instrument. A conventional content analysis was conducted with the open-ended responses and descriptive statistics were calculated for close-ended items. Results: Caregivers (n = 827) were primarily married (70.5%) and Hispanic/Latino (54.3%) women (85.5%). They (55%) reported using the 2024 summer meal program “most times” or “every time” it was available. Three themes were constructed through qualitative content analysis: (1) Family support and resource relief, (2) Navigating program accessibility and logistics, and (3) Nourishment and practicality: Reflections on food quality, nutrition, and sustainability. Conclusions: Caregivers highlighted that the program supported their families and provided resource relief. They indicated that accessibility and logistics were effective, provided ideas for fine-tuning the delivery of the program, described this program as supporting their children’s nutrition.