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ERIC Number: EJ1194716
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1559-5676
EISSN: N/A
Farm-to-School Product Purchasing Frequencies Reported by School Food Service Employees
Stokes, Nathan; Arendt, Susan W.
Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, v42 n2 Fall 2018
Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine types and frequency of local food products purchased by schools as part of FTS programs and to identify whether differences in purchasing exist relative to school size (number of lunches served). Methods: A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed from qualitative interviews with hourly school nutrition staff and previous literature. Hourly school nutrition staff with hands-on experience processing local produce as part of Farm to School (FTS) programs, from across the United States, completed the questionnaire. Results: Of the 369 questionnaires sent to hourly school nutrition staff at participating schools, 239 usable questionnaires were returned (65%). Results indicated that fresh fruits and vegetables were the most commonly and most frequently purchased local food items. However, dairy products was the local food item most commonly purchased on a daily basis. Large schools more frequently purchased local food items daily than small or medium sized schools while small schools purchased local food items more frequently on a weekly basis than both medium and large schools. Application to Child Nutrition Professionals: Results of this study can be useful to school nutrition professionals involved with FTS with information that can guide development of relationships between prospective local food sources. This research will also provide school nutrition professionals and their partners with a better understanding of the variety and frequency of local products being purchased for schools of different sizes as part of FTS programs. Utilizing this information, school nutrition professionals can more effectively work with food producers in efforts to establish regional food systems and support local economies.
School Nutrition Association. 120 Waterfront Street Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745. Tel: 301-686-3100; Fax: 301-686-3115; e-mail: servicecenter@schoolnutrition.org; Web site: http://schoolnutrition.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California; Connecticut; Maryland; Minnesota; New Mexico; North Carolina; Oklahoma; Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A