Oral

Programs linking farms to schools and to families are being implemented across the country and could be integral to community efforts to improve nutrition, combat obesity, and support local food systems. This session starts off with two recent qualitative studies with key farm to school stakeholders, including farmers, teachers, food service workers, students, administrators and large food producers and distributors. The third presentation presents a structural equation modeling analysis on key components of the Social Cognitive Theory associated with children's increased fruit and vegetable consumption in school participating in Farm to School. Results will have implications for the development of effective interventions. The fourth presentation reviews how the Washington WIC agency has partnered with local farmers with a model similar to farm to school frameworks. The final presentation will propose how local nutrition advocates can link local food system advocacy efforts to broader, national food environment policy initiatives, namely the Farm Bill.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the opinions of key stakeholders towards procurement of local foods in schools. 2. Evaluate the ability of farm to school programs to change fruit and vegetable consumption. 3. Identify key barriers to and opportunities for developing farm to school programs. 4. Identify factors that contribute to long term and sustainable efforts to connect WIC families with fruits and vegetables in their communities. 5. Discuss local obesity prevention efforts that can support a healthier Farm Bill.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)