Appendix B Research Questions

Appendix B
Research Questions

Survey	Survey topic and research question(s)
State Agency Child Nutrition Director Survey	SY 2022-2023 Fiscal Action Waiver
	How was the waiver used?
	State Provided Universal Free School Meals
	What challenges have States experienced with application collections now that school meal benefits are not tied to the FRP application?
	USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
	How many schools participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)?
	Why did States return FFVP funding to the USDA?
	Subsidies
	Did State provide subsidies to SFAs (in addition to Federal reimbursements) for breakfasts/lunches in SY? Which subsidies?
	Procurement and Buy American
	What Buy American guidance and policies do States have in place for SFAs?
	How do States ensure compliance with the Buy American provision?
	What is the required documentation when States allow SFAs to use ‘Buy American’ exemptions?
	What kinds of SFAs are using local preference?
	How many States provide schools with additional reimbursements for local foods?
	What types of training are offered for local food procurement?
	Wrap-up
	Do SAs prefer/use USDA resources online or print/order paper copies?
School Food Authority (SFA) Director Survey	Universal Free Meals
	Have SFA decisions around CEP election changed as a result of the availability of universal free meals? Have financial considerations changed so that they’re more willing to elect CEP now?
	Have SFA decisions around other special provisions changed as a result of the availability of universal free meals?
	Eligibility Determination and Verification
	Did SFAs use household applications to certify children for FRP meals in SY 2022-2023?
	Is the application based on the USDA online application?
	Which formats, and which were used most often: electronic/web-based application, computer-read/scannable paper application, manually reviewed/entered paper application, other
	Meal Prices
	Do all schools in SFA serve all school meals at no charge to students?
	In schools that charge for breakfast, lunch, what was the average price charged for paid, RP breakfasts, lunches in your SFA at the beginning of SY in elementary, middle, high, other schools?
	What actions did your SFA take in response to the Paid Lunch Equity Provision?
	In SY 2022-2023, did your SFA lower prices for paid meals? If yes, in which schools were prices lowered: elementary, middle, high, other schools?
	Funding and Expenditures
	What are the impacts of the additional per meal reimbursements from the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022? How much of the gap did the reimbursements help close?
	How did SFAs use Supply Chain Assistance funds?
	Did SFAs receive Equipment Grants? What are they planning/what did they buy (replacing existing equipment vs buying new)?
	Do SFAs have local meal charge policies?
	What are the policy components (for example, recovering debt, non-shaming tactics)?
	What was the size of non-payment, and what was the success of recovery?
	What methods are used to collect money owed as a result of unpaid meal charges?
	Procurement and Buy American
	What are SFAs doing regarding compliance with the Buy American provision?
	How do SFAs ensure compliance with the Buy American provision?
	What are the most significant challenges in complying with the ‘Buy American’ provision?
	Do SFAs use a threshold that applies to determine that a cost is significantly higher for a domestic commodity/product and thus warrants use of an exemption?
	How do SFAs determine that a cost is significantly higher for a domestic commodity or product and thus warrants the use of an exception?
	What products do SFAs most commonly procure under Buy American exceptions?
	What are common reasons for the use of Buy American exceptions?
	What percentage of dollars are Buy American exceptions used for?
	What percentage of products are procured under the Buy American exceptions?
	Meal Preparation and Service
	From where do SFAs get their standardized recipes? How helpful is the recipe standardization guide? What additional trainings/resources are needed?
	Do SFAs prefer/use USDA resources online or print/order paper copies?
	How often do SFAs use scratch or speed-scratch cooking to prepare meals? What are the biggest barriers to using scratch cooking methods?
	How often do SFAs serve plant-based meals?
	What are the biggest challenges/barriers to meal modifications for disabilities?