Volume 46, Issue 1, Spring 2022 The Journal of Child Nutrition & ManagementA Publication of the School Nutrition AssociationTable of ContentsVolume 46, Issue 1, Spring 2022 Editor's Note Introduction and Overview of issue RESEARCH IN ACTION IMPACT OF CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS OFFERED IN SCHOOLS ON DAILY NUTRITION AND DIETARY QUALITY Purpose/ObjectivesThe average Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) score for children 2-17 years is 53.9/100, which needs improvement. HEI scores for dietary quality (DQ) directly and positively impact children’s health, academic performance, and their future. Makayla Simmons; Deana Hildebrand, PhD, RD, LD; Jill Joyce, PhD, RD CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGERS’ EVALUATION OF A STATE MEAL PLANNING SYSTEM GUIDEPurpose/Objectives The purpose of this study was to measure child nutrition program (CNP) managers’ use, satisfaction, importance, and helpfulness of the features in a state meal planning guide, Mississippi Recipes for Success (MRS) Guide. Alex Hallmark, MS, RDN, RN; Laurel Lambert, PhD, RDN; Kathy Knight, PhD, RDN; Scott Knight, PhD; Melinda Valliant, PhD, RDN, LD, CSSD VEGETARIAN MENU SUBSTITUTION PRACTICES AND NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THE FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS OF URBAN KANSAS CHILDCARE CENTERSPurpose/ObjectivesInterest in vegetarianism has increased in recent years. However, little is known of how this trend has impacted childcare foodservice operations. The purpose of this study was to explore the vegetarian menu substitution practices occurring within childcare centers and to describe the roles of nutrition professionals within these centers. Caitlin Jindrich, MPH, RDN, LD; Kevin Sauer, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND; Elizabeth Daniels; Sandra B. Procter, PhD, RD, LD; Jennifer Hanson, PhD, RD, LD, CSSD RESEARCH BRIEF PROCUREMENT OF FOODS IN MISSISSIPPI DELTA SCHOOLS Purpose/ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to determine school food procurement amounts (weight and cost) in two Mississippi school districts to illustrate the potential economic and agricultural impacts of purchasing local foods for use in school meals. Alicia Landry, PhD, RD, LDN, SNS; Jessica Thomson, PhD; Tameka Walls, PhD PERCEPTIONS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH Purpose/ObjectivesTo describe the perceived benefits and barriers to move beyond Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) and initiating Universal Free Meals (UFM) in all districts across the U.S. that choose to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Alicia S. Landry, PhD, RD, LDN, SNS; Jordan Simmons, MS USDA FOOD and NUTRITION SERVICE RESEARCH UPDATE FNS RESEARCH CORNER SUMMARY OF RESEARCH Purpose/Objectives FNS Research Corner provides a continuing series to summarize recently completed and current research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in the area of Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs). Carol Dreibelbis, MPH; Hunjin Lee, JD