This program was for school food service staff and Hispanic and African American children in kindergarten through 8th grade from families with low income.

The Bienestar/NEEMA Cafeteria Program, a school-based intervention, was designed to reduce the risk of Type II diabetes (i.e., adult-onset diabetes) and obesity in Hispanic and African American children.  The program intended to encourage students to choose healthier foods from the school cafeteria and educate food service staff on nutrition.

No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program, when implemented alone and not as part of the Bienestar/NEEMA Coordinated School Health Program*, were located.

*A separate fact sheet is available for this program.

The Bienestar/NEEMA Cafeteria Program, a school-based food service intervention, intended to educate food service staff and students about healthier eating options.

Food service staff lessons focused on obtaining healthy foods and using healthier food preparation methods, and these lessons occurred during staff breaks.  In addition, each week food service staff made brief visits to classrooms to encourage students to select healthier food options in the cafeteria, such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods.  Students could expand on this information through activities provided in the student workbook.

This program is no longer available as an individual program, but it is a component of the Bienestar/NEEMA Coordinated School Health Program.

No previous use information was located.

This program was usually facilitated by the food service manager, and no formal training was required.  The food service manager conducted lessons for food service staff, and food service staff disseminated information in the classrooms.  The Food Service Manager Guide and Teacher Guide included relevant background information and teaching plans for education sessions.

Considerations for implementing a similar program might include acquiring administration and food service staff buy-in, arranging for food service staff to have necessary time for training and additional time to visit classrooms, allowing time for the food service manager to prepare lessons, and finding time to incorporate the food service presentation and student follow-up activities into an existing curriculum.  

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing a program similar to the Bienestar/NEEMA Cafeteria Program, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!  Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

There were 9-monthly lessons for the food service staff, and each class lasted 30 minutes.  In addition, food service staff made brief weekly visits to classrooms.

Program implementation costs were not located.  Please contact the Social & Health Research Center using details in the Contact section for information on program costs.

To move the Bienestar/NEEMA Cafeteria Program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you to develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

This program is no longer available; however, you may also contact the Social & Health Research Center by mail 1302 South St. Mary’s, San Antonio, TX 78210.

Phone 1-866-676-7472, fax 1-210-533-4107, email info@sahrc.org, or visit www.sahrc.org

www.sahrc.org