Objective:Globally, grandparents are the main informal childcare providers with one-quarter of children aged ≤5 years regularly cared for by grandparents in Australia, the UK and USA. Research is conflicting; many studies claim grandparents provide excessive amounts of discretionary foods (e.g. high in fat/sugar/sodium) while others suggest grandparents can positively influence children’s diet behaviours. The present study aimed to explore the meaning and role of food treats among grandparents who provide regular informal care of young grandchildren.Design:Qualitative methodology utilising a grounded theory approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups, then thematically analysed.Setting:Participants were recruited through libraries, churches and playgroups in South Australia.Participants:Grandparents (n 12) caring for grandchild/ren aged 1–5 years for 10 h/week or more.Results:Three themes emerged: (i) the functional role of treats (e.g. to reward good behaviour); (ii) grandparent role, responsibility and identity (e.g. the belief that grandparent and parent roles differ); and (iii) the rules regarding food treats (e.g. negotiating differences between own and parental rules). Grandparents favoured core-food over discretionary-food treats. They considered the risks (e.g. dental caries) and rewards (e.g. pleasure) of food treats and balanced their wishes with those of their grandchildren and parents.Conclusions:Food treats play an important role in the grandparent–grandchild relationship and are used judiciously by grandparents to differentiate their identity and relationship from parents and other family members. This research offers an alternative narrative to the dominant discourse regarding grandparents spoiling grandchildren with excessive amounts of discretionary foods.

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Resident satisfaction with food services contributes to health and wellbeing. Measuring resident satisfaction is important; however, the small number of existing food service satisfaction questionnaires (FSSQs) are outdated, lack rigorous psychometric testing and do not reflect the shift to person-centered care. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable FSSQ. Content validity was established by conducting interviews with residents, a systematic literature review and consultation with an expert panel. Data from 387 residents were used to establish construct validity (Principal Components Analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and temporal stability (Gwet’s AC). The result was a three factor, 25-item scale with good/excellent internal consistency: Factor One (13 items–good food/service, α = 0.896), Factor Two (seven items–resident choice/food availability α = 0.648) and Factor Three (five items–resident participation/staff assistance, α = 0.729). Temporal stability was good/very good (Gwet’s AC 0.6242–0.9799 (p < 0.001). This is the first FSSQ available to nursing homes that meets the COSMIN® standards for excellence and incorporates person-centered care. The questionnaire is simple to use and interpret, providing food service managers with an accurate and reliable measure of resident satisfaction and assisting them in providing a meal and dining experience that supports the health and wellbeing of residents.