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Article
Prevalence of Evidence-Based School Meal Practices and Associations with Reported Food Waste Across a National Sample of U.S. Elementary Schools
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • Hannah G. Calvert, Boise State University
  • Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Arizona State University
  • Michaela McQuilkin, Boise State University
  • Peter Boedeker, Boise State University
  • Lindsey Turner, Boise State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2021
Abstract

Providing meals at school is an important part of the hunger safety net for children in the United States and worldwide; however, many children do not receive school meals even when they qualify for federally-subsidized free or reduced-priced meals. This study investigates the prevalence of several evidence-based practices that have previously been shown to increase the reach and impact of school meals. A survey was sent to a national sample of US elementary schools, with items examining practices regarding school breakfast, school lunch, recess, the promotion of meals, nutrition standards, and food waste, during the 2019–20 school year. Almost all schools that offered lunch also offered breakfast. More than 50% used a breakfast service strategy other than cafeteria service, such as grab-and-go breakfast meals. Providing at least 30 min for lunch periods and providing recess before lunch were reported by less than half of schools. About 50% of schools reported using only one or fewer meal promotional strategies (such as taste tests) throughout the school year. Use of more promotional strategies was associated with less reported food waste in a multivariable regression model accounting for school demographic characteristics. Findings show that some evidence-based practices for school meals are being implemented, but many recommendations are not being widely adopted.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information
Hannah G. Calvert, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Michaela McQuilkin, Peter Boedeker, et al.. "Prevalence of Evidence-Based School Meal Practices and Associations with Reported Food Waste Across a National Sample of U.S. Elementary Schools" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lindsey-turner/34/