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Rapid Evaluation
Healthy Vending in Rhode Island
Public School Districts
Public Health Problem
There are high levels of obesity and poor nutrition habits among many students
in the state of Rhode Island. In response to this issue, the Rhode Island Department
of Education (RIDE) promoted healthier nutritional environments in all 36 of its
districts. This project was
- Part of Rhode Island’s coordinated school health program.
- A partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Healthy
Schools Coalition.
Initiative Description
Since 2001, RIDE has supported the development and promotion of policies to enhance
the school nutrition environment in its 36 districts. Districts were encouraged to
- Create and implement comprehensive wellness policies that included components
to increase the nutritional value of foods and beverages in vending machines and
a là carte food offerings.
- Promote nutritious choices in other areas of the school nutrition environment.
RIDE’s nutrition project preceded the federal wellness policy mandates.
Evaluation
In 2005, the evaluation assessed progress in implementing policies or directives
to enhance the school nutrition environment in Rhode Island school districts. The
assessment included
- Interviews of 72 district administrators from 31 school districts.
- Case studies of 6 selected districts based on their progress in implementing nutritional
policies.
- Five middle schools and 6 high schools as case studies on the implementation of
nutritional policies.
Findings
Evaluation results revealed
- Schools with approved nutrition policies in place had more healthy snack
items available for sale a là carte and in vending machines than those without
such policies.
- Although all schools were engaged in the process of making changes, an abundance
of less healthy food options were still available to students from multiple sources
throughout the day.
- The process of developing and implementing wellness policies required active
cooperation between the district-level school committee or school board,
and district- and school-level administrators. A positive and dynamic partnership
among the schools, the district, and the food service providers enhanced understanding
of the best approach to putting written policies into practice.
- School-level involvement of students, parents, and teachers, early in the policy
development process, increased awareness and acceptance of policies.
Implications
All school districts in the United States are now mandated to develop and
implement local wellness policies. The Rhode Island experience provides particularly
timely lessons for other schools and school districts.
Sample Tools and Instruments
This section contains selected data collection tools and instruments that were used
in this project. These sample instruments are posted as examples to guide development
of instruments for other projects, but are not intended to be used in their current form,
as they have been tailored to address specific evaluation questions of interest to the
Rhode Island Department of Education.
Environmental Assessment Tool
[doc 688K]
Observation guide for assessing the nutrition environment of a school, including
vending machines, student stores, a là carte options, cafeteria atmosphere, and nutrition
education and promotion.
Vending and A Là Carte Food Policies Interview Guides
Guides used for 15- to 30-minute interviews with key stakeholders in the schools
and district regarding the school nutrition environment (including vending and a là carte
food policies).
Focus Group Guides
Guides used for 40- to 60-minute focus groups with students and teachers
regarding the school nutrition environment (including vending and a là carte food policies).
-
Student Focus Group [doc 254K]
Guide to focus discussion on availability of food for purchase during the
school day, food in classrooms, food selection, changes due to food-related policies,
and factors that influence selection of food as well as purchasing and eating habits.
-
Teacher Focus Group [doc 256K]
Guide to focus discussion on students’ practices for obtaining food, food-related
policies (as well as parent and student reaction to those policies), use of food in
the classroom, food-related fundraising, and other feedback on the school
nutrition environment.
For More Information
Additional information about this rapid evaluation, including the full evaluation
report, is available from the Rhode Island Department of Education.
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