Evaluation of Demonstrations to End Childhood Hunger - CN Food Sec

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.

Inclusion criteria

• 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 National School Lunch Program meals or attended a school that participated in the community eligibility provision were eligible to participate in the project.