Le programme d’alimentation scolaire La Cantine dans les écoles permet aussi aux enfants de découvrir de nouveaux aliments

Abstract

­­The goal of this article is to identify the parental beliefs on specific components of a school lunch program offered in Quebec, that have an influence on the frequency of use. This research is quantitative and correlative. Data is based on the results of two surveys (2020 and 2022) related to the appreciation of components of the “La Cantine dans les écoles” program viewed by parents using the service. Results show a moderate correlation (0.404, p < 0.01) between the frequency of use and the discovery of new food. The discovery of food via school lunch programs and the influence of this parental belief on the meal orders by the parents appear as innovative. Hence, sending a detailed menu periodically to the parents is a strategy to pursue so they may judge the food that their child will discover, the balanced meals, the variety of the menu and of the meals that correspond, according to them, to the child’s food preferences. Key promotional messages to the parents regarding the variety of dishes and the balanced meals offered, that both promote discovering food, are marketing strategies to consider to increase using lunch programs.