Results, Insights, and Recommendations from the Burton Elementary School Lunch Survey, March 23, 2015

2. 2
1. Survey Purpose
2. Summary of Findings
3. Analysis & Insights
4. Recommendations
5. Appendix
• Methodology
• Full Results
OUTLINE

3. Develop a broad understanding of the opinions and needs of
Burton families in order to better advise our food service
department and inform their decisions.
SURVEY PURPOSE
3

4. 1. Time available for lunch is the biggest area of concern for families, families will not
purchase school lunches when they feel their children won’t have time to eat them
2. Food quality is a perceived major issue – freshly prepared, in-season, and
nutritionally balanced options would go a long way toward getting families to
purchase more lunches (and getting kids to want to eat them)
3. Parents recognize that offering the options they desire comes with a price tag, and
they are willing to pay more per lunch to get the improvements they desire
4. But if no additional changes to the lunch program can be done in the short term, get
rid of the second pizza day would be Burton families’ #1 target
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
4

5. BURTON FAMILIES ARE PURCHASING
LUNCHES… SOMETIMES
Only about a quarter of Burton families report that
they never purchase a school lunch, with about half
purchasing occasionally or a few times a month. But
concerns regarding the current lunch program keep
them from purchasing more often
“My kids love strawberries, but
they tell me that the strawberries
are swimming in a gross syrup. I
wish you could stick to fresh fruit
and veggies”
5

6. The biggest concern for Burton families is around the
time available for lunch. Nearly 70% believe their
children should have more time to eat. And since
getting a school lunch takes longer, many families
listed this as a primary reason they don’t purchase
school lunches more often.
Many families are also concerned about the quality of
the food provided. Greatest levels of dissatisfaction
were seen with food quality (56%), nutritional balance
(53%), weekly variety (42%) and freshness (42%).
* Somewhat or very dissatisfied
TIME AND QUALITY ARE PRIMARY
SOURCES OF DISSATISFACTION
“No more canned veggies. My daughter
tells me the green beans have a grey
look to them. They do not look fresh at all.
“My only real concern is the schedule. There is not enough
time for my daughter to purchase and finish lunch.”
6

7. Families indicate that improvements in food quality and
freshness would have the biggest impact on how many
lunches they purchase. And they are willing to spend more to
get it, along with these additional options if made available*:
• Fresh, in-season produce (90%)
• Freshly prepared meals (89%)
• Hormone-free food (77%)
• Locally sourced ingredients (71%)
Gluten-free, fast food restaurant, and more traditional kid-
friendly food options are not options that would drive more
purchases.
* Extremely or very interested in these options
BUT BURTON FAMILIES WOULD BE OPEN
TO PURCHASING MORE SCHOOL
LUNCHES, IF…
”Fresh food, local produce,
healthy choices!!! No more
garbage!!!”
7

8. Burton families are willing to spend more to get the quality
of food – and preferred food options – that they desire. In
fact, a full 82% indicate they would spend $1 or more per
lunch if their concerns were addressed.
THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY MORE TO GET
THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY DESIRE
“If you are trying to
increase sales, I think
the meals need to be
made with fresher
ingredients which will
cost more and that is
fine with me”
“I don't care about GMOs, and organics might be
too expensive to serve on such a large scale and
keep costs reasonable, but the children need
FRESH fruits and vegetables, decent meat and
protein options and options that are not deep fried
and then frozen.”
8

9. 9
Some of the food choices offered are simply not in line with
Burton family wants and needs. When asked if they would
like to see any current food items eliminated, they
overwhelmingly responded with canned fruit (61%), bosco
sticks (51%), corn dogs (47%) and nachos (41%).
While pizza is a sore spot with parents, it’s more the quantity
of the offering, and the fact that a veggie option is not
available.
IN ORDER TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN
FOOD QUALITY, A FEW ITEMS NEED TO GO
“Pizza two times a week is over
kill and not necessary. I'm
comfortable with the kids eating
pizza, but 1 time a week is
more than enough.”
“Canned fruit that has added sugar
or fake sugar, I would eliminate.
Fruit in their own juice...fine”
“My kids love strawberries, but
they tell me that the strawberries
are swimming in a gross syrup. I
wish you could stick to fresh fruit
and veggies”
“The emphasis on lunch should
be on nutrition and weekly variety
that challenges children to
explore foods out of their comfort
zone and taste preferences. It
should be a time of learning about
what foods are beneficial for their
bodies and good health”
“When pizza is on the menu two-three times a
week it doesn't matter what other options
there are available, the child will always
choose the pizza so it makes it impossible for
your child to buy school lunch.”

10. RECOMMENDATIONS
PRIORITY SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT
1 Increase time available for lunch so students can comfortably purchase their meal, eat, and socialize without rushing (or not finishing)
1 Eliminate the second commercial pizza day, bosco sticks, and corn dogs from menu
2 Eliminate all canned fruits and vegetables, replacing with fresh (and in-season, whenever possible)
2 Increase nutritional balance by adding more “real” and “fresh” ingredients, along with additional veggies whenever possible
(i.e., veggie pizza, not just cheese)
2 Explore opportunities to prepare food on-site (i.e., food trucks, mobile kitchen, school garden)
2 Eliminate processed foods
2 Increase weekly variety by introducing in-season foods
3 Offer no-drink or alternate drink options (i.e., soy milk, almond milk, or fruit & veggie juice)
4 Exclusively use meats and dairy products not treated with hormones
4 Increase use (or preferably exclusive use) of organics
4 Reduce sugars in foods
4 Eliminate GMO food
4 Increase number of vegetarian options and reduce or eliminate pork products
10

11. APPENDIX

12. 1
2
The Health & Wellness Committee distributed a Survey Monkey questionnaire through the
PTA email mailing list, Health & Wellness Committee Facebook page, and The Birds’ Nest
Newsletter. The survey was active for three weeks in February and March of 2015.
121 households completed the survey (only one response was allowed per household,
controlled through cookies).
METHODOLOGY

13. 1
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FULL RESULTS
Q1: How often does your child buy a lunch at school
(including free or reduced-price lunch)?
Q2: Do you believe the amount of time given for your child
to eat lunch should be changed?

14. 1
4
FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q3: How satisfied are you and your child with your school’s lunches in
each of the following areas?
Comments:
• I'd like to see more salad options. And vegetarian. Fresher fruit
and better veggies
• Usually gets Jets pizza because he hasn't liked much else - and
he's not a picky eater.
• They need to offer unprocessed foods I would be happy to pay
more for organic but the choice is just aren't there so I always
pack
• Need more dairy free options
• price for 2 slices of pizza and drink is same as buying a large
pizza, ridiculous!
• More fresh fruit and veggie options
• Too much pizza and junk food
• Pizza twice a week is too much!
• Two pizza days a week is quite excessive.
• I am unsure of the quality of school lunches and therefore pack
a lunch for my children every day.
• My youngest daughter, in 1st grade, refuses to eat hot lunch
because not enough time is given and she gets nervous. This
should absolutely be addressed.
• I think pizza should be once a week rather than twice
• My son does not like school lunches.

15. 1
5
FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q4: How important are each of those same areas in deciding whether
your child should buy a school lunch (including free or reduced-price
lunch?)
Comments:
• We get pizza day on Thursday and only buy on other days if we
didn't have time to make lunch. our kids don't love school lunch
except jets. don't stop jets please.
• There should be choices for kids with allergies but not all items
must comply.
• Organic/non-gmo/hormone free, free of additives
• My daughter does not want to buy lunches because she never
has enough time to eat them after waiting in line.
• Nutritional balance is important to me however the ONLY
criteria we use is whether my child likes it.
• Additives and non-food items (i.e. high fructose corn syrup, food
dyes, etc.) not good

16. 1
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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q5: Which of the criteria, if improved, would have the
biggest impact on INCREASING the number of school
lunches your child buys (including free or reduced-price
lunches)? (Select up to THREE)

17. 1
7
FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q6: If made available as school lunch options, how
appealing are each of the following options?
Comments:
• No processed or limited processing food
• Or kids buy jets pizza day. also they buy when they can on
breakfast for lunch days. wish that wasn't Mondays because it
conflicts with math pentathalon.
• Organic fruits, vegetables, and meat are extremely important
• Would pay up to $5 more or even more for such options!
• Please keep fast food out of our schools!
• Subway or Tubby's sandwiches

18. 1
8
FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q7: How much more would you be willing to spend on
school lunches, if any of those options could be included?
Q8: Would you like any of the following school lunch
options to be eliminated?

19. 1
9
FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
1. Since parents do not attend lunch with their kids many of the responses are guesses based on child communication. There should be a parent tasting at
the beginning of school or when a new vendor is brought on.
2. My goal would to significantly reduce the use of processed foods (avoid things with wheat, corn and rice flour). I would like my child to be eating real
food; vegetables, fruit and proteins.
3. I would not get rid of burgers nuggets etc if the meat was fresh and if high quality. Not McDonald's like.
4. My kids love strawberries, but they tell me that the strawberries are swimming in a gross syrup. I wish you could stick to fresh fruit and veggies. I know
this isn't always cost effective. One of my sons does not buy lunch because he says that there isn't enough time to stand in line to buy food and still have
time to eat.
5. Would love to have soups available! Also, in order to cut down on cost, would love for a drink to not be included and they can drink their water.
6. Canned fruit that has added sugar or fake sugar, I would eliminate. Fruit in their own juice...fine with. Nachos with liquid cheese, definitely gross! I am a
big fan of providing healthy, good tasting lunches, but hope the school doesn't completely eliminate "special treats" for birthdays. Guidelines are good
but total elimination is uncool.
7. Salad bar with fresh fruits and veggies would be a hit at Burton.
8. it is extremely important that my children are given healthy foods without chemicals and additives. Changing the school menu to provide our students
with healthier options is crucial, especially those that are dependent on school lunches and do not have the means to bring their own.
9. There is too much commercial pizza. Two days a week is too much! I would be nice for the students to have more time to eat and more time to play
after. My child observes religious fasting practices at different times during the month throughout the year, but I pack lunches during that time. Our
particular faith's fasting restrictions can be complicated (no oil, no dairy, no eggs, no whey, no meat, no fish) and I don't expect a commercial kitchen to
be able to accommodate them properly - or even remember which days they need to keep track of.

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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
10. I think it's possible to do tasty, real food versions of things kids like. While chunks of real chicken in a well-seasoned coating baked in the oven can be
"nuggets." Pizza can be made with whole grain crust, crushed fresh tomatoes, real hormone-free cheese and still be "kid-friendly.”
11. Pizza two times a week is unnecessary.
12. Spicy foods should be eliminated. Do kids really eat spicy foods? As a parent, I would like to see and try the food my kids are eating. Hard to judge when
we can't see it. We just get feed back from our children. They never have enough time to get the food and then eat it. It is always a race. Sometimes
they have a hard time finding a seat if they waited too long in line.
13. Fresh food, local produce, healthy choices!!! No more garbage!!!
14. I'm not available during the day to sample the meals. So I can only go off of what my kids tell me. How about an 'open house' for the lunches, maybe
after school so more parents can try the foods?
15. No more canned veggies. My daughter tells me the green beans have a grey look to them. They do not look fresh at all.
16. My only real concern is the schedule. There is not enough time for my daughter to purchase and finish lunch.
17. It's not so much that I want food eliminated it's that I want higher quality processed free foods. Can fruit could be replaced with fresh fruit and cool kids
lunch I don't know what that is because my kids never eat lunch at the school because of what is offered. They really don't want them to eat the food
actually use it as a threat if they don't behave I'll make them eat school lunches!
18. I'm curious how the choices were picked for question 8. Why are those 9 items asked about and not the countless other lunches? Is that someone's
opinion of what should be eliminated? It seems like you get a skewed result if you ask whether certain things should be eliminated but you don't ask that
question about other items.

21. 2
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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
19. My child doesn't like to get hot lunch for a few reasons: 1. there is no dessert...would be nice if there was a small cookie or apple crisp as the incentive
for eating the healthy stuff but I realize that the federal standards probably make this impossible. 2. He's NOT a picky eater but says some of the food
that he normally likes just doesn't taste good at school/it's soggy (I suspect a challenge associated with not having a kitchen on site...I can't imagine how
to get around this one...Maybe a food truck?? And finally, the long line. Maybe a quick, cold option where kids have stations and can pick 1. protein (with
different options like hummus, peanut butter, yogurt, lean meat cubes, bean salad), 2. fresh fruit or veggie and 3. grain like pretzels, graham cracker,
rice crackers. But then again that's about what we do to pack a cold lunch so maybe not worth all the energy and effort to try and please everyone! One
more idea...how about how soups? Seems like an easy way to serve a hot, nutritious meal. And despite my efforts with sending in a thermos, he says
it's usually still cold by lunchtime.
20. Most important is to keep with foods kids like to eat. If you make the menu UBER healthy kids are not going to eat it. I would love a great moderate
answer. Pizza w fresh veggies. Taco Bell with fresh fruit/veggies.Grilled cheese on whole wheat w fresh veggies and fruit. Chicken nuggets that actually
taste good. Whole wheat pancakes!
21. The majority of options in #8 are fine in moderation. I feel strongly about eliminating Jets Pizza. I am much more comfortable with the Dominoes and it
being offered no more than one per week.
22. Juice option or soy milk to buy at lunch. My child is allergic to milk and under the impression there is nothing else to drink.
23. Just more white fruit and veggie options and fresh whole food choices.
24. We don't send our kids to school to play video games and watch TV all day, but that's how we treat food at school (give them what they want, rather
than teach about nutrition and instill healthy habits). There is too much evidence that food choices affect classroom behavior and learning, let's get with
science and do what's right for our kids!
25. Pizza should be limited to once a week. The Cool Kids Lunch should be eliminated.
26. the kids must have more time to eat. Standing in line to wait to get a school lunch takes too much time out of the time they have to eat.

22. 2
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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
27. The emphasis on lunch should be on nutrition and weekly variety that challenges children to explore foods out of their comfort zone and taste
preferences. It should be a time of learning about what foods are beneficial for their bodies and good health. It should also be a time for children to enjoy
their meals and socializing with their friends without feeling rushed. I would prefer that there is one choice for lunch and that it is a nutritious, well-
rounded, GMO-free, additive-free, pesticide-free, antibiotic-free freshly made meal that is heavy on the vegetables with a healthy protein and small piece
of fruit that is easy to eat. If any bread/pasta products are served, I would prefer that they are made from stone ground flour only - no refined or enriched
flours.
28. I think nachos would be fine if they used fresh ingredients, it would be nice if canned fruit was fresh but some kids like it. I know that the schools do the
best they can. If parents don't like it then they can send their kids to school with lunch. However, if you are trying in increase sales, I think the meals
need to be made with fresher ingredients which will cost more and that is fine with me
29. Pizza twice a week is too much!!!
30. Meals can be healthy such as a cheeseburger that is made from 100% beef that is hormone/gmo/etc free, real cheese (not processed American
"cheese") loaded with veggies, Nachos with shredded chicken, tons of vegetables and real cheese. Have pizza day once a month and make it a veggie
pizza. Chicken nuggets made from actual chicken pieces (not processed) that is baked not fried. Add a salad with fresh vegetables with preservative &
sugar free salad dressing & a fruit salad and a small cookie for dessert to any of the above and you have a "kid" friendly lunch. I have no clue what a
"cool kids lunch" is nor would I know how to make a corn dog, Bosco Stick or canned fruit healthy. Instead of a corn dog perhaps grilled chicken on a
stick with a dipping sauce that does not have tons of sugar (like processed ketchup). Instead of Bosco Sticks make a roll up sandwich with hormone/
gmo/etc free lunch meat, shredded lettuce, cucumber & tomato slices.
31. Aramark is a notoriously bad, corner-cutting vendor. Our children deserve better. I don't care about GMOs, and organics might be too expensive to serve
on such a large scale and keep costs reasonable, but the children need FRESH fruits and vegetables, decent meat and protein options and options that
are not deep fried and then frozen.
32. Pizza two times a week is overkill and not necessary. I'm comfortable with the kids eating pizza, but 1 time a week is more than enough.

23. 2
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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
33. I really don't like the fact of there being Dominos pizza on Tuesday and Jets pizza on Thursday. It should only be ONCE a week.
34. I will continue to pack lunches 4/5 days.
35. I believe our school lunches are devoid of nutritional value. Along with the home I think it is the schools responsiblity to encourage and offer healthy food
to feed our children. Education involves teaching children the importance of what they put into their bodies and the effects on their health.
36. My kid brings his lunch every day because of food sensitivities, and I doubt that he'd ever be able to buy his lunch. But I think it's important for ALL kids
to have healthy meals and I don't think Burton is doing a very good job of that. Given what I am sure are severely tight budget constraints, I'm not sure
what to suggest, but surely there has to be a better option than pizza twice a week.
37. I THINK PIZZA IS A POPULAR CHOICE FOR THE KIDS, BUT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE OFFERED TWICE A WEEK!
38. I think that meat added to every meal may also deter our choices. My kids do not eat Ham products and that is in most items. We also do not put cheese
on our sandwiches.
39. You shouldn't allow kids to buy food if they don't have money in their account. I purposely leave my kids' accounts empty so that they eat what I pack
them, but then they're still allowed to run a negative balance and buy sugary chocolate milks and unhealthy foods. A child should not be allowed to run a
negative balance.
40. I am not opposed to burgers but I am opposed to the quality of beef being served. Would love to see burgers on the menu everyday if it were organic
beef. Same goes for chicken nuggets. Fine if they are served everyday if they too were organic. I am more concerned about the quality of food as
opposed to variety of choices.
41. When my kids get hot lunch, they do not have enough time to eat after waiting in the line. They love getting the lunches as they do not get them often.
42. I don't think the above foods should be eliminated, just not offered as frequently.

24. 2
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FULL RESULTS (CONT.)
Q9: Do you have any additional comments or concerns about your
school’s lunches that you’d like to share?
43. When pizza is on the menu two-three times a week it doesn't matter what other options there are available, the child will always choose the pizza so it
makes it impossible for your child to buy school lunch. I am also confused as to the 2nd and 3rd lunch choice options, whether they are fresh and what
they consist of so educating parents on what menu items are would go a long way. Maybe only two choices of equal quality would be a good idea. Some
suggestions of things we would purchase are soups of all kinds, healthy fresh wrap sandwiches, vegetable pizza, whole wheat waffles, ravioli, turkey hot
dogs
44. My children have complained about the fresh fruits and veggies (unripe bananas, poor quality citrus). Their favorite "fruit" is the strawberries in syrup
(seems unhealthy to me). My kids only buy lunch once every other week or so, but if the produce served were better I might have them buy it more.
Also, we are vegetarians (I know, a very small minority) and there are so may meat-based meals. "Cool kids" seems like a snack, not a meal. I haven't
examined the menu closely so maybe there are more vegetarian options than I realize, but each time I have been at school when my child's teacher is
reading the lunch options, it seems that pizza and cool kids are the only vegetarian options.