Developing Farmers' Markets at Boys and Girls Clubs: The Veggie Project

The Veggie Project is a community-based participatory action research study in Nashville, TN that took place during the summers of 2007-2009. This environmental intervention involved the establishment of produce stands at four Boys & Girls Clubs. The Clubs are located in “food deserts” or areas with limited or no access to stores selling healthful foods. As an action research study, each year of the project evolved based on lessons learned from the prior year. In 2008, two revisions were made to the project. First, a Youth Leader Board was developed to provide more opportunities for youth to own and operate this community-based intervention. Second, to address economic barriers to accessing healthful foods, produce stand customers could receive up to $20.00 in vouchers for purchasing fruits and vegetables from the stands. This presentation will review the collaborative research process involving the Boys & Girls Clubs, a children's hospital, local farmers, and a university; discuss the participatory and youth-engaged intervention approach; review consumer demand for foods sold at the stand; and highlight shopping patterns among produce stand customers. The presentation will conclude by reviewing research, policy, and practice implications for efforts aimed at changing local food environments through community-engaged and participatory action methods.