New Orleans school meal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and innovations identified through qualitative interviews.

Background: School meal programs are critical to reducing childhood food insecurity. This study identified challenges and innovations in school meal service in a disaggregated charter school system during COVID-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative key informant interviews were conducted with school officials and school food providers.

New Orleans' school meals distribution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: operational details and geographic coverage.

Introduction: To facilitate continuation of school feeding during COVID-19 school lockdowns, U.S. Congress authorized waivers to allow for school meals to be picked up by parents/guardians in non-school settings.