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Objectives. To evaluate National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) participation overa 7-year period before and after the implementation of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which required healthier school lunch options beginning in school year (SY) 2012-2013 and healthier school breakfast options beginning in SY2013-2014.
Methods. Data were gathered from low-income, high-minority public schools in 4 New Jersey cities. We conducted longitudinal analyses of annual average daily participation (ADP) in school meals among enrolled students overall and among those eligible for free or reduced-price meals. We used linear mixed models to compare NSLP and SBP participation rates from SY2008-2009 to SY2014-2015.
Results. NSLP participation rates among students overall differed little across years (from 70% to 72%). SBP rates among enrolled students were stable from the beginning of the study period to SY2013-2014 and then increased from 52% to 59%. Among students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, the ADP was lowest in SY2012-2013 (when the HHFKA was implemented) before rebounding.
Conclusions. The HHFKA did not have a negative impact on school meal participation over time.
Public Health Implications. The HHFKA-strengthened nutrition standards have not affected school meal participation rates. With time, students are likely to accept healthier options. (Am J Public Health. 2018;108:84-86. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304102)
The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (Public Law 111-296; HHFKA) aligned National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) requirements with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. New NSLP meal patterns, implemented in school year (SY) 2012-2013, included more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and a gradual reduction in sodium content. Similar SBP standards were implemented during the following year (SY2013- 2014).1 Additional requirements came into effect in SY2014-2015, as well as smart snacks standards for food and beverages sold outside of school meal programs.2 Further changes in the requirements are ongoing.1
The acceptability of new meal offerings has been evaluated in short-term longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses.2 6 According to qualitative results, school administrators and food service workers perceive that, although students initially complained, consumption patterns have not changed significantly.3 In only 2 studies were participation data used to examine the HHFKA's impact on school lunch participation, and neither of these investigations assessed effects on the SBP,4,5 a program that has been historically underused.7