Impact of school salad bars on fruit and vegetable selection, intake, and waste in Mid-Atlantic elementary schools.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few studies have empirically examined the impact of school salad bars on elementary students' fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption within the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This natural experiment evaluated the impact of salad bars on FV selection, intake, and waste within elementary schools.

Methods

Seven school pairs, matched on Title I status and percentage of students from ethnic or racial minority backgrounds, were randomly selected. All schools served pre-portioned FV at baseline. One school within each pair received a salad bar; the other continued to serve pre-portioned FV (Control). Digital imagery plate waste methods were applied at baseline and 4-6 weeks after schools installed salad bars (post). Images were rated in the laboratory (ICCs = .94-.9

SUBMITTER: Bean MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11800604 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature