Participants in School-Based Gardening and Food Programs Benefit From Lasting Impacts on Dietary Behaviors

To encourage fruit and vegetable consumption among youth, experiential food education programs such as gardening and cooking lessons have increased across both community and school settings. A recent research articleopens in new tab/window in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavioropens in new tab/window, published by Elsevier, revealed how this early learning positively influenced food decisions as children grew older.

Lead study author Christine St. Pierre, MPH, RD, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, explained, “While food education programs are evaluated, much of the evidence of program impact comes from evaluations less than a year after the class, and little is known about the enduring impact through childhood and into adulthood."

This study explored the experiences of current and alumni participants of the FRESHFARM FoodPrintsopens in new tab/window food education program, which is embedded in more than 20 elementary schools within a large urban public school district in the eastern United States. The program's first school partnership was established nearly 15 years ago, and the oldest alumni participants are now young adults. A network of alumni has been established and maintained as the program has grown, providing a unique opportunity to gain insight into the experiences of both current participants and those who have aged out of the program.

Researchers observed classes and interviewed program coaches and staff to prepare for focus group sessions. Focus groups were recruited among current and alumni students. Questions were designed to gain insights into the typical participant experience, current nutrition behaviors, food environment, and impression of the FoodPrints program.

Nine emergent themes were identified in three categories of impact: immediate, beyond the classroom, and sustained. The immediate impact of the programs included enjoyment of food experiences, hands-on learning of food skills, and connection with peers through a shared experience. Beyond the classroom experience, the programs shifted individual and family food choices and increased involvement of students in family food practices and interest in fresh food options at school. Appreciation for fresh food, openness to trying new foods, and confidence in making food decisions were the sustained benefits of the programs.

St. Pierre commented, "While we recognize the demands on education resources and the precious time of teachers, findings in this study suggest that investment in experiential food education in elementary school can provide an important contribution to the continuation of healthy dietary behaviors as children grow up.”

Notes for editors

The article is "Participant Perspectives on the Impact of a School-Based, Experiential Food Education Program Across Childhood, Adolescence, and Young Adulthood," by Christine St. Pierre, MPH, RD; April Sokalsky, BS; and Jennifer M. Sacheck, PhD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2023.10.012opens in new tab/window). It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, volume 56, issue 1 (January 2024), published by Elsevier.

The article is openly available at https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(23)00533-X/fulltextopens in new tab/window.

Conflict of interest: Christine St. Pierre has worked as an evaluation consultant for FRESHFARM separately from this research. FRESHFARM had no role in the design of this study, data analysis, or preparation and approval of the manuscript.

Full text of the article is also available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Eileen Leahy at +1 732 406 1313 or [email protected]opens in new tab/window to obtain a copy. To schedule an interview with the author(s), please contact Kathy Fackelmann, director of media relations, The George Washington University, [email protected]opens in new tab/window.

An audio podcast featuring an interview with Christine St. Pierre, MPH, RD; and other information for journalists are available at www.jneb.org/content/mediapodcastopens in new tab/window. Excerpts from the podcast may be reproduced by the media with permission from Eileen Leahy.

About the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB)

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education and dietary/physical activity behaviors. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research, emerging issues, and practices relevant to nutrition education and behavior worldwide and to promote healthy, sustainable food choices. It supports the Society's efforts to disseminate innovative nutrition education strategies, and communicate information on food, nutrition, and health issues to students, professionals, policymakers, targeted audiences, and the public.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior features articles that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice, and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests of health, nutrition, education, Cooperative Extension, and other professionals working in areas related to nutrition education and behavior. As the Society's official journal, JNEB also includes occasional policy statements, issue perspectives, and member communications. www.jneb.orgopens in new tab/window

엘스비어 소개

엘스비어는 첨단 정보와 의사결정 지원 분야의 글로벌 선도 기업이다. 100년 넘게 과학과 헬스케어의 발전을 지원하며 인류 진보에 기여해 왔다. 전 세계 170개국에서 학계 및 기업 연구 커뮤니티와 의사, 간호사, 미래 의료 전문가, 교육자들이 수행하는 중요한 업무를 지원한다. 세계 최고 수준의 근거 기반 과학·의학 콘텐츠와 정밀 AI, 전문가 평가를 토대로 구축한 연구 및 임상 등급 솔루션을 제공하여 의미 있는 변화를 만들어가는 사람들에게 더 나은 성과를 거둘 수 있도록 돕는다. 또한 포용성과 지속가능성 증진에 앞장서며 엘스비어가 지원하는 커뮤니티와 협력한다. 엘스비어 재단(The Elsevier Foundationopens in new tab/window)은 전 세계의 연구 및 보건 파트너십을 지원한다.

엘스비어는 전문가 및 기업 고객에게 정보 기반 분석과 의사결정 도구를 제공하는 글로벌 기업 RELXopens in new tab/window의 일원이다. 자세한 내용은 www.elsevier.com에서 확인할 수 있으며, 소셜미디어 @elsevierconnect를 통해 최신 소식을 받아볼 수 있다.