Exploring Adolescents’ Perceptions of the School Food Environment to Inform a Fruit-Based Program

OBJECTIVE: To explore rural adolescents' perceptions of the school food environment, identify preferred fruit promotion strategies, and compare findings with nutrition directors' self-reported practices to inform a fruit-based program. METHODS: Mixed-methods study using focus groups, student voting activity, and nutrition director-completed environmental checklists across 8 rural schools. Participants included adolescents (focus groups, n = 41; voting activity, n = 432) and nutrition directors (n = 8). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: More than half the students reported barriers to fruit consumption (e.g., unappetizing/limited options, concerns about cleanliness/freshness) despite nutrition directors reporting supportive fruit promotion practices. Across schools, a smoothie bar was the most preferred fruit promotion strategy (370 [86%]), followed by fruit taste tests (44 [10%]) and fruit-based murals (18 [4%]). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Discrepancies between student experiences and self-reported practices highlight the importance of incorporating student voices. Findings inform a student-driven, fruit-based program in rural schools.