This project aims to identify what works well and what needs improvement in the implementation and participation of the universal school meals program in the School District of Philadelphia.

Methods

In September of 2023, our team recruited eight schools across the Philadelphia School District. We conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups with students grades 6-12, as well as parents, teachers, climate staff, administration, and food service staff. We observed over 30 meals, received 158 surveys, and conducted 122 interviews.

Methods

In September of 2023, our team recruited eight schools across the Philadelphia School District. We conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups with students grades 6-12, as well as parents, teachers, climate staff, administration, and food service staff. We observed over 30 meals, received 158 surveys, and conducted 122 interviews.

Results

Our research revealed that factors such as access to meals, implementation leaders like food staff and admin, and school culture and attitude towards meals are all working well. Factors such as quality and recipient-centeredness of meals need some work.
School Meals Project Timeline

This project occurs in 5 steps that will take place between 2023- 2027. We began by collecting data on the challenges and supports of school meals within the School District of Philadelphia (link needs assessment report). From this, we entered Phase 2 of the study (steps 2-4) where we will hold planning meetings with 4 partner schools. These planning meetings will be used to address the main themes that were identified in the needs assessment. We will be co-creating procedures to improve the implementation of school meals based off of the SISTER School Implementation Strategies, Translating ERIC Resources Project.

Hearing from participants was crucial to our understanding of implementation of school meals.

Here are some impactful quotes:

Next Steps...

Throughout this year of our study, we will hold collaboration meetings to select and design strategies for each school. These meetings will involve a team of community members, including students, parents, teachers, school staff, and food service workers. The model below outlines the structure of our three meetings, as well as the start of our testing phase.

Strategy Rollout

  • Schools will begin implementing the plan in the 2025-26 school year
  • Monthly check-in meetings will be held to address challenges and concerns

Develop Implementation Strategies

  • Select necessary action to guide strategies.
  • Identify strategies to use in the school setting.
  • Organize steps into a practical and adaptable plan for implementation.
Determine Outcomes
  • Review Year 1 Needs Assessment Report.
  • Set priorities to enhance school food climate over the next few years.
  • Understand implementation mapping process.
  • Identify what improvements we would like to see in the school food climate.
Choose & Develop Strategies
  • Choose action steps to guide our strategies
  • Identify how the strategy will be adopted in the school setting.
  • Organize steps into a realistic plan for implementation in different contexts.

Resources

For each of our implementation mapping meetings, we developed individual workbooks to guide conversations around determining outcomes, selecting strategies, and  and developing implementation strategy plans. Below are each of our workbooks available for downloaad.

Publications and Outputs

Report

School Meals Needs Assessment Results

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Frontiers in Public Health

Key determinants to school breakfast program implementation in Philadelphia public schools: Implications for the role of SNAP-Ed

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