P162 - Developing a Food Production Record Template for Use as an Evaluation: Tool in School Lunchrooms

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop an adaptable food production record template for the evaluation of nutrition interventions. This was accomplished through testing the multiple iterations of the template with food service staff (FSS) over two years. Target Audience: Twenty-six FSS were selected to participate based on their involvement in two school lunch interventions offered by Iowa Team Nutrition. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Production records provide information that can be used in the evaluation of lunchroom interventions. However, production record data are often incomplete or not detailed enough to be used for evaluation. Description: Over the course of two years, a production record template was developed based on pilot testing of different forms, feedback from FSS and the USDA Iowa Advisory Council, and discussions among research staff. The final template collects the following information: quantity prepared, serving size, number of servings prepared, and amount leftover for each meal component. The template tested asked about fruit, vegetable, and milk components, as those were the focus of the interventions. Materials were also developed to train food service staff. Evaluation: FSS from 20 schools were trained on using the template and asked to complete for one week in the fall of 2017. Seventeen schools were able to fill in the template with no or minimal assistance and three were able to complete it with extensive assistance. The research team was able to calculate the number of servings of the targeted meal components from all schools, except for one school who did not report milk. Conclusions and Implications: Providing FSS with production record templates and requesting targeted information resulted in school FSS providing production data that can be used to evaluate intervention outcomes. To improve the quality of data collected, training should be provided to FSS who will complete the template. Funding: USDA Team Nutrition.