This study explores parental perception of public-school meals related to the healthfulness, tastiness, cost, value, and convenience of participation in the school lunch program and its impact on student participation in the school-provided lunch program. The researcher used data collected from an online distributed survey provided to families through the school's PTA in four school districts across Long Island, New York. Since 2012, federal regulations have changed regarding the nutrition standards for all foods sold in school as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 for the United States Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch. Changes to the school lunch program have aimed at improving the healthfulness of school meals. Advocates for and implementers of improved school meals may benefit from partnering with parents to increase the acceptance and utilization of improved school offerings. This study gathered two parent-level demographics using a quantitative framework: parent/guardian total household income and the parent/guardian's highest level of education influencing student lunch participation. The study found that communication about the school lunch program, the highest level of education of the parent or guardian, and total household income influence participation in the school lunch program. The researcher discusses the significance of practice and policy within the education and school leadership sectors. The study concludes with recommendations for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]