Barriers and enablers to providing healthy food and beverages in New Zealand secondary school canteens

Abstract

School environments have the potential to promote healthy dietary behaviours among adolescents. In New Zealand, there is no regulation regarding the healthiness of foods and beverages available to purchase at school canteens. This qualitative study explored the barriers and enablers to providing healthy food and beverages in secondary school canteens. An electronic screening questionnaire was distributed to all secondary schools to identify schools with a canteen. Semi-structured interviews among participants representing purposively selected schools explored the experiences of providing healthier foods and beverages in the canteen. Among schools (n = 333) invited to participate in the survey, 78 schools (response rate 23.4%) responded, with 37 schools reporting a canteen onsite. Of these, 24 schools were purposively invited to participate. Ten interviews were completed with participants representing six schools and one interview with an external food service provider. Through reflexive thematic analysis, four key themes were identified: (i) an action-oriented over-arching school policy based on healthy eating principles facilitates healthier provisions, (ii) fully supported initiatives across the school environment facilitate healthier provisions, (iii) champions facilitate healthier school canteens, and (iv) healthy canteens are not prioritized within the school’s broader needs. School canteens are more likely to follow healthy eating principles when food and beverage policies are clear and comprehensive, adequate resources are available to implement and sustain healthier options, champions are involved, and the canteen is part of a whole-school approach that benefits the overall school food environment.