A Qualitative Study of Junior High School Principals' and School Food Service Directors' Experiences with the Texas School Nutrition Policy

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to learn about the experiences of principals and school food service directors with the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy. Design Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted to gain first hand reactions to the new nutrition policy. Setting Data were gathered from Texas middle schools. Participants Principals and food service directors from 24 schools randomly selected from 10 Texas Education regions were interviewed. Phenomenon of Interest Participants were interviewed about their reactions to the implementation of the Texas School Nutrition Policy. Analysis Two researchers, using thematic analysis, independently analyzed each interview. Differences in coding were reconciled and themes were generated. Results The themes that surfaced included resistance to the policy, policy development process, communication, government role, parental role, food rewards, fund raising, and leadership. Conclusions and implications Resistance to the policy was not extreme. In the future a wider array of school personnel who are affected by school food regulations should be included in the development of new policies. It is critical to communicate with all concerned parties about the policy.