Using fundraising incentives and point-of-purchase nutrition promotion to improve food choices among school families in restaurants: a pilot and feasibility study

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of in-restaurant interventions aiming to promote healthy choices via fundraising incentives benefiting school wellness programs and point-of-purchase nutrition promotion.

Design:

Twelve schools were randomly assigned to one of two intervention periods: Fundraising Incentive (FI) donated funds for visiting the study restaurant; Fundraising-Healthy Eating Incentive (F-HEI) included FI with additional funds given when selecting a healthier item. Both conditions included point-of-purchase nutrition promotions. Families were recruited to attend their designated intervention and complete a survey. Feasibility was assessed based on recruitment and participation, implementation fidelity, and intervention acceptability. Efficacy was assessed by comparing participant receipts between intervention periods and by comparing overall restaurant sales during intervention vs. two no-intervention time frames.

Setting:

Fast-casual restaurant in Southern California

Participants:

Parents with children attending participating schools.

Results:

Eighty-one families visited the restaurant during the intervention, with 66 completing surveys. All study activities were implemented successfully, but school family participation in the intervention was low (0.95%). Among participants completing surveys, all indicated satisfaction with the program. The percentage of healthier items ordered was significantly greater during both FI (χ2=5.97, p=.01) and F-HEI (χ2=8.84, p=.003) versus Comparison 2. Results were similar but did not reach statistical significance when comparing the interventions to Comparison 1.

Conclusions:

Results support potential efficacy of this program, but more research is needed to inform feasibility. Fidelity and acceptability data supported feasibility, but participation rates were low in this initial study. Methods evaluating this intervention with a greater proportion of parents should be considered.