December 2022

Views on Healthy School Meals for All

A survey of AZ parents and school community members
Sarah Martinelli MS, RD, SNS; Francesco Acciai, PhD; Emily Melnick, MPH, PhD; Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, PhD, RDN

We surveyed a diverse group of Arizona residents, including over 2,300 parents of school-age children and
nearly 1,300 members of the school community, consisting of teachers, lunchroom staff, school administrators,
and other school employees. Respondents represented a wide range of racial, economic, educational, and
political backgrounds. A more detailed report of methods and results will be shared on the Arizona Food Bank
Network’s website in January 2023.
There is overwhelming support (93%) for legislation to offer healthy school meals for all (HSM4A) in
Arizona, regardless of income. Support was high among all groups but was strongest among parents (95%).
Respondents from all political affiliations expressed similar levels of support for HSM4A.

Support for Legislation to Provide HSM4A in Arizona by
respondent political affiliation and school community group*
Full Sample

93%

Conservative

88%

Middle of the road

3% 9%

93%

Liberal

2% 5%

96%

Unsure of political affiliation

1%2%

93%

School Administrators

5%3%

90%

Parents

5% 6%

95%

Teachers

2%3%

89%
0%

10%

Strongly or Somewhat Support

100%

2%5%

20%

30%

40%

4%
50%

Neither Support or Oppose

60%

70%

80%

90%

8%
100%

Strongly or Somewhat Oppose
*Categories may not add up to 100% due to rounding

Highest Rated Benefits of School Meals

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%

79%

85%

30%

77%

20%
10%
0%

Saves families money Lowers families stress

Three-quarters of Arizonans who
completed the survey have
favorable views of school breakfast
(74%) and school lunch (76%).
These views were consistent across
all demographic and political groups.
Respondents also recognize the
many benefits of school meals.

Benefits children
academically

chs.asu.edu

.
When asked to consider different options for funding school meal programs in the future, the vast
majority of respondents (78%) chose HSM4A as the best approach. The second most chosen approach,
selected by 17% of respondents, was expanding the eligibility criteria so more children qualify for free or reducedpriced meals.

Top options for future funding approaches for school meals programs
by respondent’s political affiliation and self-identified race/ethnicity*
Full sample
Conservative

17%

77%

Liberal

7%

20%

71%

Middle of the road

4%

17%

78%

17%

80%

5%
2%

Unsure of political affiliation

82%

11%

5%

Hispanic

82%

13%

4%

Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black

81%

Non-Hispanic AIAIN

82%

Non-Hispanic Other/Multiple

16%
13%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

3%
5%
6%

23%

70%
0%

4%

20%

74%

90%

100%

We should offer meals at no charge to all students who want them, regardless of income.
We should raise the household income limits so more children qualify for free or reduced-cost meals.
We should continue with the current income limits for free and reduced-cost meals.
*Categories may not add up to 100% as respondents were able to choose between 5 different funding options.
The table presents the top 3 choices which made up more than 98% of the total responses.

Respondents recognized many
benefits of offering HSM4A. Nearly
all respondents indicated that
HSM4A will reduce childhood
hunger. Other recognized benefits
included lowering costs for families,
reducing the stigma often cited as an
issue with students who get free or
reduced-priced meals, improving
student academic achievement, and
removing student meal debt.

Highest Rated Benefits of HSM4A

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Reduces
childhood
hunger

Reduces
Improves
Reduces
Removes
costs for
student
stigma of low-income academic
student
families achievement meal debt
free meals

87%
59%

57%

43%

32%

chs.asu.edu