Food Service Guideline Policies on Local Government–Controlled Properties

Abstract

Purpose: Local governments can implement food service guideline (FSG) policies, which, in large cities, may reach millions of people. This study identified FSG policies among the 20 largest US cities and analyzed them for key FSG policy attributes. Design: Quantitative research. Setting: Local government facilities. Participants: Twenty largest US cities. Measures: Frequency of FSG policies and percent alignment to tool. Analysis: Using municipal legal code libraries and other data sources, FSG policies enacted as of December 31, 2016, were identified. Full-text reviews were conducted of identified policies to determine whether they met inclusion criteria. Included policies were analyzed for key policy attributes specific to nutrition, behavioral design, implementation, and facility efficiency. Results: Searches identified 469 potential FSG policies, of which 6 policies across 5 cities met inclusion criteria. Five policies met a majority of criteria assessed by the classification tool. Overall alignment to the tool ranged from 17% to 88%. Of the 6 policies, 5 met a majority of the nutrition attributes and 5 met at least 50% of attributes associated with implementation. No policies met the attributes associated with facility efficiency. Conclusion: The FSG policies were identified in 5 of the 20 US cities. Policy alignment was high for nutrition and implementation attributes. This analysis suggests that when cities adopt FSG policies, many develop policies that align with key policy attributes. These policies can serve as models for other jurisdictions to create healthier food access through FSGs.

Data for Decision Makers: Finding Policy, Systems, and Environmental Solutions for Public Health Problems

“…Researchers can also develop tools that help others assess the quality of policies. Examples of these tools include those developed to measure the quality of policies for Complete Streets ( 26 ) and food service guidelines ( 27 ). Health scientists are also encouraged to share findings even when the PSE strategy was less effective than intended; lack of statistical significance does not mean findings are not useful.…”

Advancing Healthy Food Service in the United States: State Food Service Guidelines Policy Adoption and Implementation Supports, 2015-2019

“…5 Some states and municipalities are embedding FSG standards into formal policy mechanisms in governmentcontrolled food venues (e.g., cafeterias, snack shops, vending machines, micro-markets, or congregate meals). 6,7 Such policies often stem from a desire to model healthier food environments, while also addressing the significant financial burden diet-related chronic conditions put on state and local governments. Such costs can be related to employee health insurance claims due to poor diet or lack of physical activity, as well as reduced worker productivity and absenteeism.…”