Partnerships:: Linking the Community, Cafeteria and Classroom

Abstract

Nutrition education in the classroom with reinforcement in the cafeteria and media is a dynamic partnership for educating children and increasing public awareness of nutrition topics. The effects of a statewide, coordinated breakfast promotion conducted in March 1994 were studied. This multifaceted promotion linked community, classroom and cafeteria messages about breakfast. Promotion partners included local and state government, industry, private for-profit and non-profit agencies. A media packet was created and sent to TV, radio and newspapers throughout the state. Members of the State Dietetic Association committed to focus their March 1994 education activities on breakfast. Other members of the partnership were requested to do the same. Evaluation of the media arm of the project during March 1994 resulted in over 650,000 people (in a state with 1.2 million) receiving positive breakfast messages through media, health fairs, cafeterias, WIC classes and other presentations and projects. A two-prong approach was used to promote breakfast in schools. Teachers of grades 2 and 3 were sent breakfast lesson plans, ideas for involvement with school food service and other local health promotion groups and a mail back card for an inked stamp which could be used with the lessons. Each school food service (SFS) received special menus and recipes promoting breakfast, breakfast posters and promotional event ideas, and an inked stamp. A random sample of teachers (by grade level) was conducted to evaluate the classroom outreach. Thirty-one percent of the teachers responded. Thirty-one percent of the respondents reported teaching the breakfast lesson. Of the teachers who taught the lesson, 11.8% took their class to a school breakfast/lunch; 10.3% requested brochures from SFS; 5.7% worked with SFS to coordinate activities; and 42% coordinated special meals (which supported the lessons) with SFS. A retrospective analysis of average daily rates of participation (ADP) in SFS lunch programs was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the cafeteria promotion. A survey was mailed to all SFS programs in the state. Forty-six percent of the SFS personnel responded. Ninety-one percent of the respondents reported conducting at least one of the nine promotional activities. Promotional menus and the inked stamp were the two most popular activities with SFS. Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported working with a classroom teacher. ADP was measured one week before, during and the week following the promotion. When both SFS and teachers participated in the school promotion, ADP increased significantly (P<.05) by 5.0%. This increase in ADP was sustained through the post-promotion week. This project demonstrates the value of partnerships in promoting nutrition messages through schools and communities.