The goal of this convergent mixed-methods, multiple case-study project is to identify existing equity-focused strategies that can be used to address negative parental perceptions that may be scalable in resource-deprived areas, and to inform hypothesis-driven research on which strategies are most effective. The two objectives of the study are to: 1) Describe multi-level contextual factors that influence perceived meal quality (via parent survey, parent focus groups, and CNP personnel/vendor interviews); and 2) Identify strategies to address parental perceptions, and characterize by equity focus area (i.e., increase healthy options; reduce deterrents; improve social and economic resources; build community capacity). The subrecipient will recruit CNP personnel, vendors/distributors, and parents from six urban and rural positive deviant school districts in four states to achieve these objectives. In two of the four states, the subrecipient will ask state agency staff to nominate two additional urban and two additional rural districts that do not meet their definition of exemplar districts, such that there are four comparison districts. Only food service director interviews and parent surveys will be conducted in the comparison districts.
Start Date: October 2022
Organization: Boise State University and Duke University
Project Lead: Lindsey Turner, PhD and Hannah Lane, PhD, MPH
Resource Type: Commissioned Research Project Summary
Keywords: Equity and disparities, Rural, School meal programs, Urban
Focus Area: School & After School
Related Research
April 2026
Policy Priorities and Research Needs for Advancing Healthy Eating: A 2026-2027 Research Agenda for U.S. Children and Adolescents
Given recent changes to nutrition policies and programs and the food environment landscape, the need for new evidence on how these changes impact nutrition, health, and food access is greater than ever. HER has also published a research agenda intended to provide a blueprint for immediate (i.e., 12-18 month) research needs to inform strategies to MoreDecember 2025
From Policy to Plate: Implications of 2025 U.S. Federal Policy Changes on School Meals
School meals are a cornerstone of the United States’ nutrition safety net for children from low-income families, providing nearly 30 million lunches daily. However, recent U.S. policy actions may limit access to school meals for children who need them most. This commentary, published in the Nutrients Special Issue The Influence of School Meals on Children MoreDecember 2025