Exploring Australian parent perspectives of an acceptable school-provided meal system

Purpose
Schooling is a unique health promotion setting, where children consume over 2000 lunches. Currently in Australia, school food provision is predominantly reliant on parents/caregivers and home packed lunches. Interest is growing for adoption of school-provided meals nationally; however, parent perspectives are not well understood. This thesis therefore aimed to generate an original contribution to knowledge in understanding the perspectives of parents, as key stakeholders, in a school food system. Specifically, this thesis explored parent perspectives of a school-provided meal system in the Australian context, addressing the research questions 1) What do parents value in an Australian school-provided meal system? and 2) How do school-provided meal systems need to be tailored to meet various socio-ecological contexts and parent perspectives?

Methods
Five inter-related studies were conducted, underpinned by socio-ecological and consumer consultation frameworks. The studies included a review, case studies of school food systems internationally, Nominal Group Technique workshops, analysis of lunchbox costs, and a survey, including a Discrete Choice Experiment. Studies formed unique findings and comprehensively addressed the thesis research questions. An advisory group of school food stakeholders informed the research methods and result interpretation.

Findings
Over 90% of Australian parents were interested in a school-provided meal system being introduced. The findings indicate school-provided meals would be acceptable to parents, if the system is comprehensive and appropriately designed. Perspectives indicate the need for any Australian school-provided meal program to be designed based on the socio-ecological contexts including individuals, families, regions and schools, avoiding a one size fits all approach. This includes tailoring dietary requirements, costs, and menu offerings. Parents were willing to financially contribute to a school-provided meal, particularly attributing financial value to a system that provides nutritious, quality food, offers menu choice, is environmentally sustainable, integrates the meal into learning, and is universally accessible.

Conclusions
Thesis findings indicated there is potential for an acceptable and feasible school-provided meal system to be introduced in Australian primary schools. A system transformation would be acceptable to parents, if the offering was appropriately designed. Particularly, alignment with parent values and tailoring of the system would increase acceptability, forming a system that is universal, but not uniform. Findings align with previous international research and growing stakeholder perspectives on a potential system, which should be considered to optimise uptake and impact. Knowledge established within this thesis can be used to inform transformative action, ensuring parent perspectives are considered in the growing conversations on school-provided meals in Australia.