141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

278447
Children exposed to farm-to-school eat their veggies

Monday, November 4, 2013

Amy Teixeira, MSPH , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Sonya Jones, Ph.D. , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Casey Childers, MA , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Jacquelyn Ball, BS , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
INTRODUCTION: Children in the United States consume too few fruits and vegetables (FV). Poor diet in childhood is associated with increased risk of obesity and obesity-related disease. The Farm-to-School (F2S) movement seeks to improve the supply of FV available to children. In 2011, South Carolina (SC) piloted F2S with four components: a partnership with local producers, SC grown foods in the cafeteria, promotion of SC grown foods, and a new or revitalized school garden. Our evaluation examined the impact of the F2S on children's FV consumption and parental perception of F2S on their families' food choices. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design using photographic plate waste methods at 18 schools compared FV consumption among children in F2S schools versus matched comparison schools. Five parental focus groups were conducted and field notes were taken to capture environmental contexts. RESULTS: In matched-controlled analyses children tasted and consumed more vegetables in F2S schools than in comparison schools (0.11 servings, p<0.10), but children ate fewer fruits (-0.07 servings, p<0.05). This finding was attenuated when controlling for the sale of a la carte (ALC) snacks during lunch. Parents reported that children asked for more FV at home and that school gardens increased children's knowledge about food origin. DISCUSSION: Improving vegetable consumption is a public health priority, and the SC F2S initiative improved vegetable consumption. The influence of ALC items on fruit consumption reveals a need for advocacy efforts to address competitive food policies within schools. Overall, parents positively supported F2S, especially the garden component, and its continuation.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Define the SC Farm to School program components and aims. Describe a study that examined the impact on children’s consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and the perceptions of parents of the effects of Farm-to-school programs on their families’ food choices. Discuss the results and implications on future Farm to School programs.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working as a Research Associate for the past few years and I have worked as the study coordinator for school-based intervention programs. Among my scientific interests has been the promotion of healthy diets for children, particularly in school-based settings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3189.0: Nutrition and Children