Locally Sourced Santol Rolls: Assessing Acceptability Among High School Students

Malnutrition among students of Apad National High School was a growing concern, with 27.85% of students showing signs of nutritional deficiencies due to the high consumption of junk food within the school campus. This study was conducted exclusively at Apad National High School and focused solely on students. It aimed to develop and assess the acceptability of Santol (Sandoricum koetjape) Rolls as a locally sourced, nutritious snack alternative. A total of 135 students were selected through stratified random sampling, using grade level as the stratification variable, from a population of 209 students. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational design was employed, with data collected via Likert-scale surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results indicated that students rated the affordability, appearance, packaging, and taste as ‘very satisfactory’, with mean scores ranging from 4.5 to 4.8 on a 5-point scale, while texture was rated as satisfactory. Based on these findings, the high level of student satisfaction suggested strong market acceptance potential among the target group. There was no significant difference in acceptability across sex groups, but grade level and age showed significant differences in perceived taste and texture (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that Santol Rolls have the potential to be a viable snack option within the school canteen, provided that product development and marketing strategies consider age and grade-level preferences. The researchers recommended enriching Santol Rolls with additional vitamins or protein sources, exploring natural preservatives and attractive packaging options to enhance shelf life and appeal to students, and implementing a targeted promotional campaign for different grade levels to reduce malnutrition among students effectively.