ABSTRACT
This study examined the association of household food security and school participation in the community eligibility provision (CEP). Surveys were collected from 427 households within 5 schools participating in CEP, and therefore providing access to universal free school meals, and three matched comparison district schools, which were CEP-eligible but not participating. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for race/ethnicity and education level, revealed that the odds of being in a food insecure household were twice as likely for students attending CEP-eligible, but not participating schools than for students attending CEP schools [OR 2.85 (95% CI 1.67, 4.88)].
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Elizabeth Marchetta for her contributions; Maryland Hunger Solutions for their support; Lacy Boyles, Elizabeth Brown, Hailey Cox, Amelie Hecht, Emily Payne, Amanda Stearns, and Dana Stretchberry for their tireless efforts; and, most important, the students, parents, caregivers, principals, and administrators who shared their stories.