Children exposed to farm-to-school eat their veggies

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.