Graduation Year
2026
Degree Name
Master of Public Health
Department
Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
Document Type
Capstone
First Advisor
Marybec Griffin
Abstract
This policy analysis explores the lived experiences and perspectives of school nutrition professionals in rural Arizona. Food insecurity affects one in five Arizona children and continues to rise. School meals serve as a critical safety net for families who need support and cannot afford consistent access to nutrition. Through an exploratory qualitative approach, this analysis amplifies the voices of those working on the front lines of child hunger, returning to a fundamental question in public health and policy: who is responsible for ensuring no child goes hungry at school? School nutrition professionals and community advocates across Arizona were surveyed using an open-ended qualitative questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis, identifying recurring patterns across participant narratives. Drawing on Penchansky and Thomas' Access Theory and the Advocacy Coalition Framework, this analysis examines structural, administrative, and social barriers to equitable meal access while identifying opportunities for coalition-driven policy change. Across all responses, one sentiment emerged consistently: school meals are essential for children to learn. Four themes emerged from participant responses: student health and well-being, equity and access, family and community impact, and program and policy considerations. Across all themes, participants consistently identified stigma, administrative burden, and food insecurity as critical barriers to equitable meal access, while overwhelmingly supporting universal free school meals as a path forward. Their voices offer a compelling case for policy action. Findings support universal free school meals as a necessary step toward ensuring equitable access to nutrition, reducing stigma, and strengthening academic outcomes for all students across Arizona.