Governments take steps to safeguard child nutrition amid COVID-19 school closures

30 Mar 2020 --- The ongoing spread of COVID-19 is compelling society to reexamine the relationship it has with food security. Children who rely on government-subsidized school meals are particularly affected by shortfalls in the supply chain as schools around the world have been closing their doors. Both the US and the UK have taken steps to ensure that vulnerable children stay fed even out of school, although some organizations warn that these measures are not comprehensive.

In a bid to aid US children and families, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will provide billions of dollars in nutrition assistance for children and families. Additionally, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced flexibilities to make it easier for vulnerable groups, including children, to get food during the COVID-19 national emergency and remove administrative roadblocks for the local staff who serve them. 

Previously, children needed to be present to receive a meal through USDA’s child nutrition programs. However, parents and guardians have now been allowed to take meals home to feed their children. Other flexibilities include allowing states to waive meal pattern requirements, so local operators can create meals with the foods they have available, and delaying administrative deadlines associated with the Community Eligibility Provision to ease burdens on schools that are currently closed due to COVID-19. 

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is also investing in a public-private partnership to feed rural children impacted by school closures. Additionally, it is allowing states to issue Pandemic electronic benefits transfer (EBT) – which are similar to food stamps – to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures. 

“USDA is committed to maximizing our services and flexibilities to ensure children and others who need food can get it during this coronavirus epidemic,” says Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “This is a challenging time for many US citizens , but it is reassuring to see our government and fellow Americans stepping up to the challenges facing us to make sure children and those facing hunger are fed.”

Meals or vouchers will be given to the 1.3 million UK children eligible for free school meals.Safeguarding school meals for UK students
Across the Atlantic, the UK government announced that meals or vouchers would be given to the 1.3 million children eligible for free school meals, even after the closure of schools. This food or vouchers for local supermarkets will be sent directly to families via email or mail. Additionally, the total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate it pays to schools for free school meals, recognizing that families will not be buying food in bulk and may therefore incur higher costs.

“No child who would ordinarily receive a free school meal should go without this while their school is closed or while they are having to self-isolate at home. By giving head teachers flexibility on how they can get meals or shop vouchers to these children, they can make the most appropriate decisions for families in their communities, and provide immediate reassurance that this important support will continue,” says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. 

Schools are advised that eligible children can be supported in whichever way the institution believes is most appropriate. Additionally, head teachers can also decide which of the available options will be best for families in their area.

While these moves were generally appreciated by organizations in the space, Sustain’s Children’s Food Campaign joined with School Food Matters and several other charities to highlight areas that urgently need further guidance. These include: 

• Confirmation that block grant funding for Universal Infant Free School Meals will still be passed through so that head teachers can continue to work in good faith with their caterers to provide for families in need.
• Department for Education guidance to schools advocating continued work with existing catering providers, as trusted partners of schools, and only promoting supermarket vouchers as a last resort solution, where other local options are not available. 
• Where vouchers are supplied, clear guidance on the value these should represent, recognizing that the existing £2.30 (US$2.81) per meal payment may not be sufficient for families who cannot achieve cost efficiencies of large-scale catering operations. 
• Assurances of continued support for schools to keep providing meals to children during the forthcoming Easter holidays, given traditional holiday programs will not be taking place.

By Katherine Durrell