The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of the quality of school meals by parents of kindergarten children in Seoul, analyze the acceptance price and the optimal school meal cost using PSM (price sensitivity measurement) techniques, and provide basic data for improving the quality of kindergarten meals. The survey was conducted using descriptive statistics and PSM analysis of the responses of 1,272 parents of 779 kindergarten children belonging to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education from April to May 2021 and prior research analysis related to kindergarten meals. 74.1% of the parents surveyed were women, with 61% of children attending kindergartens attached to elementary schools, followed by private kindergartens (28.9%) and public kindergartens (10.1%). According to a study of the quality of meals, private kindergarten parents are highly satisfied with all the quality attributes of meals, such as “sanitation of dining environment” and “nutritionally balanced food” (p<0.001, p<0.01). The analysis of the acceptance price range and the optimal price for school meals showed that there was no significant variation based on the type of kindergarten establishment, with parents' acceptance price range ranging from 3,596 won to 4,454 won with an optimal price of 3,948 won.

This study was conducted to assess the acceptability of the desirable serving temperatures of soups by evaluating the sensory characteristics of Radish Clear Beef Soup, Meat Pot Stew, and Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup used in the Foodservice Establishment. 1. Taste revealed a better acceptability under a high temperature than that under a low temperature in three soups. 2. The aroma of Meat Pot Stew, Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup showed a significant difference for each temperature, and especially, Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup showed a better sabory aroma at 80℃~85℃. 3. Meat Pot Stew showed little significant differences in color and in its change among three soups. Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup did not make any change of color at both 35℃~40℃ and 50℃~55℃. 4. In a Meat Pot Stew case, appearance conspicuously changed at 35℃~40℃, which resulted in losing appetite. Three soups showed a good response above at 65℃ and a very poor response at below 55℃. 5. Radish Clear Beef Soup, Meat Pot Stew, Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup showed a tender texture at above 80℃, 65℃ and 50℃. 6. Chewiness showed a good acceptability from 50℃ to 80℃ in Radish Clear Beef Soup, Chinese Cabbage Beanpaste Soup cases, but only in the case of Meat Pot Stew showed good response at 80℃~85℃. 7. In cases of Radish Clear Beef soup, Meat Pot Stew, bland and stinking aroma, and aftertaste were increased remarkably in proportion as temperature was lowered. In case of Meat Pot Stew, especially, it turned out to be almost impossible to eat at 35℃~40℃. 8. In cases of Radish Clear Beef Soup, Chinese Cabbage Heanpaste Soup, overall acceptability at 65℃ was comparatively good but aroma and taste at below 65℃ was so bad that there was the eminent tendency to avoid tasting.