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
August 2025
Universal Free School Meal Policies and Participation in the US National School Meal Programs
This study aimed to examine the impact of federal- and state-level Universal Free School Meal (UFSM) policies and related policies on National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) participation rates during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This comparative effectiveness research study used a natural experiment created by the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze MoreFebruary 2025
More States and Sponsors Are Providing Grab-and-Go Meals to Children during Summer
In 2023, to respond to increased rates of child food insecurity during the summer Congress authorized states to opt in to allowing noncongregate, or “grab-and-go,” summer meal services for students in rural areas. In the summer of 2023, 46 states and DC opted in, and in the summer of 2024 all 50 states and DC MoreNovember 2024