Introduction: The Best Food Forward (BFF) pilot project aims to provide multiple nutrition supports to improve family food security, academic, behavioral and other health outcomes within two school districts in Warren (SD2) and Flint (SD1), MI. BFF includes several multi-level interventions focused within schools and the surrounding communities.

Methods: Through a quasi-experimental time series design, a multi-level evaluation is being administered for BFF and includes: school record review, community observations, school plate waste observation and completion of validated surveys, biometric assessments and focus groups among a random sample of youth (n=200) and parent participants (n=200).

Results: Baseline measures are currently underway; Time 1 measures will be collected in May 2020. Preliminary findings from SD1 (N=56 youth, 77% African American, 7% Native American) include low consumption of leafy greens (45% never ate over past week), vegetables (34% never ate over past week) and milk (34% never ate over past week). We expect to see differences in these measures in SD2 among the immigrant and refugee families where traditional diets are more plant-based. Comparisons of baseline and Time 1 reports will be presented.

Discussion: Food insecurity is often a familial challenge, and cultural preferences can influence nutrition-related behaviors. Ensuring nutrition support interventions address cultural food preferences to improve community diet is an important component of implementation and can mediate the development of obesity and other chronic disease. Understanding food preferences among low-income multi-cultural families can be helpful for other projects working with immigrant, refugee, Native American and/or African American families.