On January 19th, NYHealth hosted a webinar with Dr. Jen Cadenhead, Goldberg Postdoctoral Researcher in Food Trauma in Children at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Hunger levels have increased significantly in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite herculean efforts by the New York City Department of Education to provide grab-and-go meals during school closures, school meal participation has plummeted since the start of the pandemic. With in-person classes resuming and cafeterias reopening, schools now have a chance to increase student participation in school meal programs and further reduce childhood hunger.
Dr. Cadenhead discussed her research with food-insecure families in New York City to understand their experiences with school meals during COVID-19, how these experiences can inform future local operations, and how the evidence gathered supports current federal policy proposals.