CN Resource Awarded Alaska Meals-to-You Program Evaluation Contract

Published on 04 May 2026

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CN Resource (CNR) is proud to announce the award of a contract with the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) to serve as the independent evaluator for the Alaska Meals-to-You program. The contract runs through December 31, 2026.Meals-to-You is an innovative non-congregate summer meals model originally piloted nationally by the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty from 2019 to 2023. Alaska DEED, in partnership with the Food Bank of Alaska, now operates the program under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), delivering weekly boxes of shelf-stable, nutritious meals directly to children in rural communities via the United States Postal Service. The program serves families across 39 eligible school districts, addressing the significant food access challenges that exist in Alaska’s remote regions when school is not in session.As the selected program evaluator, CNR will collaborate closely with Alaska DEED to design and execute a comprehensive evaluation framework assessing the program’s impact on food security, nutritional outcomes, and participant well-being. CNR’s scope of work includes:

Evaluating program sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction
Assessing operational efficiency and opportunities for program growth
Conducting surveys of program sponsors and participants
Analyzing start-up and operational costs, staffing models, and infrastructure needs
Determining the financial viability of various service models as permanent SFSP delivery options in Alaska
Reviewing the state agency eligibility and food ordering platform for potential improvements to program integrity and ease of use
Providing recommendations for how other state agencies could successfully implement and maintain a mail-delivery non-congregate summer meals program

The final evaluation report will also examine the role of USDA summer demonstration grant funds in the program’s success and identify pathways for sustainable growth into 2026 and beyond.Alaska’s geography presents unique logistical challenges and opportunities for reaching children experiencing food insecurity during the summer months. The Meals-to-You model represents a promising approach to closing the summer nutrition gap in communities where traditional congregate meal sites are simply not feasible. CNR’s evaluation will help Alaska DEED understand what’s working, where improvements can be made, and what it would take to sustain and scale this program for years to come.CNR brings deep expertise in USDA child nutrition program compliance, SFSP administration, and state agency partnerships to this engagement. With active contracts across the country and a team of experienced child nutrition professionals, CNR is well-positioned to deliver rigorous, actionable insights that support Alaska DEED’s mission to ensure every child has access to nutritious meals, no matter where they live.We are honored to support this important work and look forward to partnering with Alaska DEED on an evaluation that can serve as a model for non-congregate summer meals programs nationwide.