School Nutrition Personnel Perceptions of School Salad Bars Before and After COVID-19

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2024 Feb 24

PMID 38398812

Authors

Katlyn Garr

Ashley Mendoza

Suzanne E Mazzeo

Hollie A Raynor

Lilian de Jonge

Kristina L Tatum

Bonnie Moore

Melanie K Bean

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Many schools have salad bars as a means to increase students' fruit and vegetable intake. School nutrition programs experienced drastic changes to the school food environment due to COVID-19. The aim of the current study was to understand cafeteria personnel's experiences related to salad bar implementation before the COVID-19 pandemic and in the current school environment to inform efforts to enhance salad bar sustainability. Seven elementary schools ( = 30 personnel) installed salad bars prior to COVID-19; three of these schools ( = 13 personnel) re-opened salad bars after COVID-19. Cafeteria personnel completed surveys assessing their experiences with salad bars at both time points. Satisfaction with salad bar implementation and training was high pre- and post-COVID-19. Most agreed that salad bars increased students' fruit and vegetable intake, yet had concerns about cleanliness and waste. Perceived job difficulty increased post-COVID-19 ( = 0.01), and satisfaction with student salad bar training decreased ( = 0.001). Additional staff support and greater student training were needed post-COVID-19. Overall, salad bars were viewed favorably; however, more challenges and lower satisfaction were reported following COVID-19. Increasing support for cafeteria personnel is needed for salad bar sustainability and improving the school food environment.

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