Changing the School Food Environment: Farm to School, Gardens/Greenhouses, and Vending/ A la carte

Introduction: Children across Wood County are being exposed to new healthier foods thanks to the work being done to change their school food environment. All six school districts are transforming the avenues that children are exposed to food through including the lunch line and competitive food options. Methods: Six school districts wellness committees and the Obesity Prevention Team are working on school wellness. With a county-wide model Farm to School is integrating locally grown, minimally processed, fruits and vegetables into the lunch line through a Harvest of the Month production. Gardens/greenhouses are being grown to teach students where food comes from; produce is then introduced into the lunch line. Vending and a la carte lines have been revamped and provide students a visual cue to select healthful items, “Using the Light to Eat Right”- a Go, Slow, Whoa model. Evaluation tools were used in each of these food environment components.

Results/Expected Outcomes: • Wellness policies: All six school districts in Wood County are updating wellness policies to include language about each of the components above. • Farm to School evaluation results include data re: Heights and weights—(BMI), knowledge and attitudes surveys, and Block Kids Food Frequency Questionnaire. • Vending / A la carte: Improved options through this venue with pre and post evaluation. • Gardens/greenhouse: Integration into curriculum, pounds of produce grown and served in lunch line.

Discussion: Changing school food environments provides children the foundation to have academic success by making available healthful foods and encouraging healthy eating.