Dula, Mark2023-04-212023-04-212023-04-19http://hdl.handle.net/11558/7323This qualitative study aimed to gather and analyze the experiences of families with access to universal free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant research exists on the positive effects of federal free and reduced meal programs (Bartfeld & Dunifon, 2006; Gordanier et al., 2020; Gunderson et al., 2011; Kinsey et al., 2020; Mykerezi & Mills, 2010; Ratcliffe et al., 2011; Ruffini, 2022; Turner et al., 2019). However, the impact of access to free meals for all students through the MEALS Act and the COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response Act enacted during COVID-19 needs further examination. This research involved interviews with eight parents of students in a public school district in Tennessee. The participants were parents of students in the first through eighth grades whose students participated in free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic and are no longer eligible for free meals due to incomes above the eligibility threshold. In addition, meal participation rates for the district were reviewed beginning with the 2018-2019 school year through December 2022. Overall participation rates, as well as rates by subgroup, were reviewed. Meal participation rates in the district increased for students with reduced and paid statuses when meals were free for all students.en-USCOVID-19 PandemicFamilies First Coronavirus Response ActFood insecurityFree and reduced mealsUniversal free mealsCOVID-19Dissertation