Child nutrition professionals’ feedback on implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

ABSTRACT: This article discusses the first two years of implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) core child nutrition programs—the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. As child nutrition professionals work toward compliance with these new guidelines, they are engaging in ongoing discussions on the USDA’s Mealtalk listserv. The purpose of this study was to identify critical themes emerging from these discussions. This study takes a stakeholder perspective and evaluates Mealtalk discussions from the points-of-view of the organization (schools), foodservice unit, and customers (students). Study results show the most frequently cited themes and child nutrition professionals’ efforts to overcome initial challenges and obstacles in implementing the new guidelines.