Food BEAMS: How to measure and improve the competitive school food environment

BACKGROUND: The California legislature enacted nutrition standards (SB12 and SB965) to improve the quality of competitive foods and beverages sold in schools. School districts are implementing these standards; however, the lack of available nutrient information makes monitoring adherence challenging. The Food and Beverage Environment Assessment and Monitoring System (Food BEAMS) is a computer-based tool that enables school stakeholders to efficiently and effectively understand the competitive school food and beverage environment, and identify areas for improvement within schools. METHODOLOGY: The researchers 1) developed a database cataloging over 1500 competitive foods and beverages sold in California schools, grades K-12, 2) designed, developed, and tested a computer-based tool for data collection of competitive school food and beverage data, and 3) adapted the tool to allow the user to assess both the nutrient profiles of competitive foods sold on a school campus as well as adherence to nutrient standards. RESULTS: Food BEAMS was successfully developed and is being piloted in several research projects assessing the school food environment in both California and Washington. Baseline data collected from the schools demonstrated that schools are indeed implementing the standards; however, to varying degrees. SIGNIFICANCE: The Food BEAMS electronic data collection system and nutrient database enables food service directors, nutritionists, school personnel, parents, advocates, and other stakeholders to assess adherence to the state and local school nutrition policies, and to identify which foods and beverages need to be changed to increase adherence and create a healthy school nutrition environment.