Does Competitive Food and Beverage Legislation Hurt Meal Participation or Revenues in High Schools?

Abstract

Competitive food and beverage legislation can increase food service revenues when accompanied by increased rates of participation in the meal program. Future studies collecting expense data will be needed to determine impact on net revenues.

Obesity Prevention Policies in U.S. States and Localities: Lessons from the Field

“…Peart and colleagues examined changes to school meal and à la carte revenues in 56 California high schools between school year 2006–07 and school year 2007–2008, the years prior to and immediately following implementation of statewide snack food and beverage restrictions, respectively. Overall meal revenues significantly increased from $0.70 to $0.86 per student per day, mainly due to a significant increase in full-priced meal participation rates (increasing by 20% for lunch and 30% for breakfast); while à la carte revenues were associated with a non-significant decrease from $0.45 to $0.37 per student per day [52]. …”

Smart Snacks Fundraiser Exemption Policies: Are States Supporting the Spirit of Smart Snacks?

“…However, the opposite has been found to be true. After an initial decline in school food revenues as standards were phased in, long‐term data show that school food revenues were not impacted by healthier standards for school meals or competitive foods in states that phased‐in strong standards prior to the federal rule …”

“…After an initial decline in school food revenues as standards were phased in, long-term data show that school food revenues were not impacted by healthier standards for school meals or competitive foods in states that phased-in strong standards prior to the federal rule. 22,23 At the same time, it is important to note that fundraisers involving foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards of Smart Snacks are not limited in any way under the federal rule. Additionally, nonfood fundraisers can still be held at any time.…”

Food Availability in School Stores in Seoul, South Korea After Implementation of Food‐ and Nutrient‐Based Policies

“…The second type of policy, the nutrient‐based policy, is more often used to limit foods with high energy, fat, sugar, or sodium. Both types of policy can decrease the availability of the unhealthy foods in schools, although the reduction in unhealthy food availability varies across studies . Less is known about which type of policy most improves school food environments and whether policy impacts differ by school characteristics.…”

“…Previous studies regarding school nutrition policies mostly focused on the implementation of policy in public schools . Public and private schools often have different school management systems, including operation of school stores.…”