A Qualitative Study: School Nutrition Policies and the Perspective of School Food Service Directors

by Besgrove, Ashlee Renae

Background. Policy plays an integral role in Coordinated School Health Programs, in order to combine health education, health promotion, disease prevention, and access to health and social services. Methods. Researchers conducted an open-ended interview with food service directors in Texas regarding their state-wide school nutrition policy. Data was collected by using a template of the survey; telephone calls audio recorded with the consent from the interviewee. Themes, or major ideas, were identified to help sort the data from the food service directors. Results. Common themes included that they dislike the policy, they like the policy, the policy lacks communication between food service directors and the creators of the policy, the policy should include a wellness component, and the cost of new equipment. Conclusions. This study illustrated benefits and disadvantages to having school nutrition policies. It also demonstrated how several different concentrations should be involved when creating a nutrition policy.