This research project focuses on understanding why students at the high school level discontinue participation in the free and reduced school lunch program. After using a three-method approach, including a focus group, student survey, and an analysis of free and reduced lunch applications, we found that attrition rates can be attributed to student perception of their lunch program as a whole. Ultimately, perceptions of food quality, menu diversity, and lunchroom organization can have a lasting negative effect that decreases the likelihood that a qualifying free and reduced lunch student will participate in the program. If a majority of the student body views the school lunch program negatively, these negative perceptions deter not just involvement in the school lunch program as a whole, but also participation in the free and reduced school lunch program. Because participation in the free and reduced lunch program is tied to funding from the federal government, solutions to this problem would bring significant benefits to the public-school system. The federal government provides reimbursements for free and reduced meals served to students. The more students on free and reduced lunch, the higher the amount of reimbursements. By working to improve student perception of the school lunch program, school districts will indirectly capture those that qualify for free and reduced lunch.
