Partnering to Strengthen School Meals Programs in a Southeastern School District

Background: School meals have the potential to improve diet quality for millions of students across the United States.

Objectives: Evaluate the feasibility of the FAV5 program, which aims to strengthen school meals by increasing appeal of school meals and improving relationships within the team of child nutrition staff and with other staff/teachers at their schools.

Methods: Nutrition researchers facilitated partnerships between the following groups to develop and implement the FAV5 program: the child nutrition director (CND) and managers at seven elementary schools in a North Carolina county, teachers and principals at those schools, a chef, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, and volunteers.

Results: The partnerships developed through the FAV5 program produced successful taste test events in seven elementary schools that generated enthusiasm around the school meals program and strengthened relationships.

Conclusions: Engaging child nutrition staff and other community partners to plan and implement the FAV5 program in schools is feasible.