Participation of Schools and Pupils in School Lunch Programs in Elementary and Secondary Schools of the United States

Excerpts from the report Summary: Approximately two-thirds of the 33 million pupils in the public elementary and secondary schools of the United States were enrolled in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program in March 1957; one-tenth were schools having other plate Iunch service; less than one twenty-fifth were in schools offering only a la carte service; and one-fifth were in schools having no lunch service. This information is based on results of a sample survey of 4,347 public elementary and secondary schools in March 1957. The study was made to ascertain the extent of school and pupil participation in feeding programs in the United States and factors associated with participation of pupils in such programs. Findings of the study indicated that certain factors were associated with high participation in feeding programs. A low-priced lunch, eating together of faculty and pupils, dependence of pupils on school transportation, and modernized kitchens and lunchrooms were associated with higher levels of participation in school feeding programs. In contrast, publication of menus in advance was associated with lower levels of pupil participation. Other factors considered but appearing to have little, if any, influence on pupil participation included availability of commercial eating facilities near the school and seating capacity and location of the lunchroom within the school building.