Abstract
Problem. This study examined the impact of four variables (meal price, branding, speedline, and open/closed campus) on student participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in Los Angeles County. The NSLP (The Child Nutrition Program) was intended to safeguard the health and the well-being of the nation's children. However, since participation is not mandated, the lack of student participation presents a problem and threatens the program's primary objective. Methodology. Twelve school districts were randomly selected from Los Angeles County. Using a questionnaire, the food service directors were asked their opinions based on their observation to determine the impact of meal price, branding, speedline and open/closed campus on student participation in the National School Lunch program. Descriptive data analyses of relative and cumulative frequencies were used based upon questionnaire responses and analyzed using SPSS. Results. Contrary to earlier studies, meal price showed no significant effect on student participation, particularly at the middle and high school levels. There was a strong relationship between branding and student participation. The consensus was that product identity promotes student participation. Results on speedline were inconclusive because very few schools use speedline. However, for the few that use speedline, it was thought to increase student participation because it shortens meal service time. The use of closed campus policy was thought to increase student participation in the National School Lunch Program, and open campus policy decreased student participation. This finding is consistent with earlier studies where students were said to leave the school campus during lunch thus decreasing student participation. Conclusions and recommendations. Student satisfaction is paramount for student participation in National School Lunch Program. If the student is not satisfied with the type of food products offered under NSLP, they would not participate. The student has to be treated as a customer rather than a student or a captured audience. If the students are dissatisfied with the products offered, it is unlikely the foods will be consumed. Early childhood nutrition education should be an integral component of the Child Nutrition program. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).