# DocTitle

## <a name="contents">Contents</a>

* Abstract
* The School Lunch Systems Model
* What Constitutes a Trigger Event for Change, Regarding Poor Food Quality at Schools
* Conclusion
* Academic References
* Other References

## Abstract

TBD.

## Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to provide realistic avenues for making changes to school lunch systems wherever and whenever such alterations might seem desirable. While the perceived need or urgency for such changes would vary from one district to another, the findings of this paper general enough to have application to a wide variety of scenarios, within the United States, and countries that similar systems. Additionally, even those cases where there are sufficient differences such that the recommendations of this paper seem not to apply, it will be found that the methodology provides a starting point for finding solutions to other school lunch systems. The system in the United States is well established, of high quality by international comparisons, and is complex enough to assume that other systems would not have quite as many barriers or obstructions that would exist here, and might have simpler approaches than what was taken to produce the results indicated here. 

## Methodology

The primary approach taken was to apply as systems modeling toolkit to the overall problem to discover true barriers and obstacles to change, in order to identify realistic avenues for creating the right projects and programmes. The result of this method is:

* A diagrammatic systems model
* A narrative explanation of the total system
* An identification of key barriers and constraints
* An identification of potential change levers
* An indication of market trends
* An indication of what seems to work and what does not

To validate the systems model, as far as it can be validated, the author relies on a variety of primary and secondary source materials about the current and historical states of school lunches in a variety of areas across the United States, along with personal experience, since the author attended public schools in the United States that were highly representative of the norm across the country, although it cannot be said that this experience was completely representative. 

An additional method was employed to determine what it means for a lunch to be high or low quality, and what constitutes a lunch that we can characterize on a gradient from low quality to superior quality, from one locale to another, and more generally. This method includes the use of the primary systems architecture method, and research regarding:

* What lunches are examples of those that people are complaining about?
* What lunches are examples of those that people are lauding?
* What are the differences between districts that account for the variation?
* What are the current recommendations made by the medical and nutritionist communities?
* What is the role of community perception on what constitutes a lunch that is satisfying and healthy? (Norms, expectations, &c...)

These two approaches provide a comprehensive picture of two primary aspects:

1. What the state of the situation looks like currently at various levels of fidelity. In other words, we can analyse the system from a high level and from a close level, to be adequately meticulous at all levels of analysis to make a reasonably informed recommendation.
1. A solid idea of what a desirable school lunch consists of, such that it can be determined if existing school lunches really are of such a low quality that changes are necessary, and to what extent the size of the change would justify the level of effort of making changes in a location in a way called for by the system model. 

On the basis of these approaches a conclusion is provided to guide the reader to make informed decisions and take next steps in whatever district he/she finds him/herself in.

## The School Lunch Systems Model

TBD.

## What Constitutes a Trigger Event for Change, Regarding Poor Food Quality at Schools

TBD.

## Conclusion

## Academic References

Cavanaugh, C. & Ryan, A. (2019). *Implementing Healthier School Lunch Programs*. Unpublished Graduate Term Paper. Boston: Harvard University. Retrieved from [https://canvas.harvard.edu](https://canvas.harvard.edu)

Harris, D. (2017). Why managed competition is better than a free market for schooling. Retrieved from: [https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezpprod1.hul.harvard.edu/science/article/pii/S074937971830014X](https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezpprod1.hul.harvard.edu/science/article/pii/S074937971830014X)

GAO. (2014). School Lunch - Implementing Nutrition Changes Was Challenging and Clarification of Oversight Requirements Is Needed. Retrieved from: https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/660427.pdf

USDA (2017). Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Retrieved: from [https://www.fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act](https://www.fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act)

USDA. (2012). Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Retrieved from: [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf](https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf)

## Other References

Avey, T. (2015). The History of School Lunch. Retrieved from: [http://www.pbs.org/food/thehistory-kitchen/history-school-lunch/](http://www.pbs.org/food/thehistory-kitchen/history-school-lunch/)

CNN. (2013). Students say no to healthy school lunch. Retrieved from: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsoPxtL7sRw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsoPxtL7sRw)

Reuters (2018, July 10). Food deliveries are remaking school lunches. [https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/food-deliveries-are-remaking-school-lunch](https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/food-deliveries-are-remaking-school-lunch)

Ryan, K (2017, September 11). Meet the Companies Changing the Way Kids Eat Lunch. [https://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/startups-are-changing-the-way-kids-eat-school-lunches.html](https://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/startups-are-changing-the-way-kids-eat-school-lunches.html)
