A Qualitative Study of Junior High School Principals' and School Food Service Directors' Experiences with the Texas School Nutrition Policy

Abstract 

Objective

The objective of this study was to learn about the experiences of principals and school food service directors with the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy.

Design

Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted to gain first hand reactions to the new nutrition policy.

Setting

Data were gathered from Texas middle schools.

Participants

Principals and food service directors from 24 schools randomly selected from 10 Texas Education regions were interviewed.

Phenomenon of Interest

Participants were interviewed about their reactions to the implementation of the Texas School Nutrition Policy.

Analysis

Two researchers, using thematic analysis, independently analyzed each interview. Differences in coding were reconciled and themes were generated.

Results

The themes that surfaced included resistance to the policy, policy development process, communication, government role, parental role, food rewards, fund raising, and leadership.

Conclusions and implications

Resistance to the policy was not extreme. In the future a wider array of school personnel who are affected by school food regulations should be included in the development of new policies. It is critical to communicate with all concerned parties about the policy.

Key Words: school nutrition, policy, middle school, principal, food service director