A new research brief developed by the Nutrition Policy Institute outlines the results and implications of the 2023 study: “Association of Frequency of School Meal Consumption and Student Dietary Intake During COVID-Related School Closures.” By partnering with local health departments to survey fourth and fifth grade students from 67 SNAP-Ed-eligible schools in California, the study investigated the relationship between school meal consumption and student dietary intake during the 2020-21 year. Compared to students who did not eat school meals, students who ate school meals reported higher intake of whole fruits and vegetables, but also higher intake of 100% fruit juice and sugary drinks. These results suggest school meals play an important role in students' daily nutrition and highlight the need to make meals both accessible and nutritious when students cannot attend school in person. The peer-reviewed study was authored by Amanda Linares, Kaela Plank, Sridharshi Hewawitharana, and Gail Woodward-Lopez. The research brief was created by Reka Vasicsek, Summer Cortez, and Amanda Linares.