Evaluation of Demonstrations to End Childhood Hunger - CN DietQual

Overview

The 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization provided funding to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger and food insecurity. Demonstration projects were funded in Chickasaw Nation, Kentucky, Navajo Nation, Nevada, and Virginia. This study focuses on Chickasaw Nation and the diet quality of child participants. School districts were matched, and then one was randomly assigned to either a treatment (n=20) or control group (n=20). Treatment households received one food box per eligible child, per month, delivered to the household, which contained (1) shelf-stable foods, including 6 protein-rich items, 2 dairy items, 4 grain foods, 4 cans of fruit, and 12 cans of vegetables; (2) a nutrition education handout (e.g., a recipe); and (3) a $15 Fresh Check for frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables that participants could redeem at any of 38 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-authorized stores or farmers' markets in the study counties. Control households did not receive the treatment benefits but still could participate in other available nutrition assistance programs.

Objective: To reduce childhood food insecurity and hunger, increase families' consumption of nutritious foods, increase the diversity of foods in the home, and ultimately improve diet quality and well-being among children. Target Population: 40 school districts (115 schools) in 12 counties within the Chickasaw Nation territory in Oklahoma. Within these districts, households with school-age children (both Native American and non-Native American) who were eligible for free school meals or attended a school that participated in the community eligibility provision were eligible to participate in the project. Intervention School districts were matched, and then one was randomly assigned to either a treatment (n=20) or control group (n=20). Treatment households received one food box per eligible child, per month, delivered to the household, which contained (1) shelf-stable foods, including 6 protein-rich items, 2 dairy items, 4 grain foods, 4 cans of fruit, and 12 cans of vegetables; (2) a nutrition education handout (e.g., a recipe); and (3) a $15 Fresh Check for frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables that participants could redeem at any of 38 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-authorized stores or farmers' markets in the study counties. Control households did not receive the treatment benefits but still could participate in other available nutrition assistance programs.