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Do Means-Tested School Lunch Subsidies Change Children's Weekly Consumption Patterns?

Author

Listed:
  • Howard, Larry L.

    (California State University, Fullerton)

  • Prakash, Nishith

    (Northeastern University)

Abstract

This article examines whether the means-tested component of the National School Lunch Program changes beneficiaries' dietary patterns by taking advantage of variation across public school districts in the financing of and demand for lunch and nutrition programs. Using data on fifth grade public elementary school children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten (2003-2004), we find significant increases in weekly rates of consumption amongst fully and partially subsidized children. Our estimates also suggest that the increase was for items known to be a rich source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for children's health and development. The effects are larger for fully subsidized children relative to partially subsidized children, which suggests the nominal price of school lunch is a binding constraint for certain children on the margin of eligibility for the subsidies. To the extent that children from low-income households experience undernourishment with greater frequency, policy discussion focusing exclusively on the link between obesity and program participation is overlooking positive effects on those who are directly subsidized.

Suggested Citation

  • Howard, Larry L. & Prakash, Nishith, 2009. "Do Means-Tested School Lunch Subsidies Change Children's Weekly Consumption Patterns?," IZA Discussion Papers 4427, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4427
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Are school lunch subsidies useful?
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2009-11-12 21:23:00

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    National School Lunch Program; dietary patterns; subsidies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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