ICN Applied Research

The Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division (ICN, ARD) is located at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. ARD supports the ICN mission by systematically conducting research and development projects that influence child nutrition operational practices. These projects increase knowledge, provide research-based resources, and determine best practices for issues affecting the operation and improvement of child nutrition programs.

ARD primary research threads include operational accountability, customer service, best practices, human resources, wellness, equipment purchasing and facility design and program evaluation.  ARD collaborates with State agency staff, child nutrition professionals, content experts, consultants, and other university faculty to conduct research.  Findings from research projects are disseminated to child nutrition professions through education sessions and posters at state and national conferences; best practice resources and guides; research briefs called “Insights”; technical reports, and manuscripts in peer reviewed journals and child nutrition industry magazines.

ICN ARD research results are used to develop resources and training to promote excellence in Child Nutrition Programs.  User-friendly resources are available, free of charge on the ICN website.

Cover image of the 2025 ARD at a Glance Newsletter

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Lee, Y. M., Kwon, J., Park, E. Wang, Y. and Rushing, K. (2017). Use of Point-of-Service Systems in School Nutrition Programs: Types, Challenges, and Employee Training. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management. 41(2). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Fall_2017/use-of-point-of-service-systems-in-school-nutrition-programs.pdf

Rushing, K. (2017). Essential Key Performance Indicators for School Nutrition Success. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.  41(2). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Fall_2017/essential-kpIs-for-school-nutrition-program-success.pdf

Cullen, K. W. & Rushing, K (2017). The Team Up for School Nutrition Success Workshop Evaluation Study:

Three Month Results. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management. 41(1). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Spring_2017/The-Team-Up-for-School-Nutrition-Spring2017.pdf

Kwon, J., Lee, Y. M., Park, E. Wang, Y. and Rushing, K. (2017). Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Application and Income Verification Practices in School Nutrition Programs in the United States. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management. 41(1). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Spring_2017/Free-and-Reduced-Price-Meal-Application-Spring2017.pdf

Bergman, E. A., Englund, T., Cashman, L., Ogan, D., Watkins, T., Barbee, M. and Rushing, K. (2016). Beverage Selections and Impact on Healthy Eating Index Scores in Elementary Children’s Lunches from School and Home. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.39(1). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Spring_2016/5-BeverageSelectionsandImpact.pdf

Rushing, K. (2016). School Nutrition Professionals Perceptions of Key Performance Indicators. Journal of Foodservice Management and Education. 10(2). Retrieved from: http://fsmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/10-2-Rushing.pdf

Rushing, K., and Johnson, J. T. (Spring, 2015). School Nutrition Professionals’ Usage and Perceptions of USDA Recipes and the Impact of Student Enrollment. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.39(1). Retrieved from: https://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Spring_2015/869%20Manuscript%20USDA%20recipes%20Print%20Ready%203-6-15.pdf

Bergman, E. A., Saade, C., Shaw, E., Englund, T., Cashman, L., Taylor, K. W., Watkins, T., and Rushing, K. (Fall, 2014). Lunches Selected and Consumed from the National School Lunch Program in Schools Designated as Healthier US Schools Challenge are More Nutritious than Lunches Brought from Home. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.38(2). Retrieved from: http://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Fall_2014/LunchesSelectedandConsumedfromtheNationalSchoolLunchProgram.pdf

Bergman, E. A., Englund, T., Taylor, K. W., Watkins, T., Schepmann, S., and Rushing, K. (Fall, 2014). School Lunch Before and After Implementation of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management.38(2). Retrieved from: http://schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/5_News_and_Publications/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management/Fall_2014/SchoolLunchBeforeandAfterImplementationHealthyHungerFreeKidsAct.pdf

Rushing, K. (Fall 2013). Administering School Lunch Participation and Non-participation Based Surveys to Middle School Students. The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. 37(2). Retrieved from: http://sna.dev.networkats.com/5–News-and-Publications/4–The-Journal-of-Child-Nutrition-and-Management/Fall-2013/Volume-37,-Issue-2,-Fall-2013—Rushing/

Rushing, K. and Asperin, A. E. (Spring 2012). Building the School Nutrition Program Brand Personality Within the School Setting. The Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. Retrieved from: http://schoolnutrition.org/5–News-and-Publications/4–The-Journal-of-Child-Nutrition-and-Management/Spring-2012/Volume-36,-Issue-I,-Spring-2012—Rushing,-Asperin/

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