The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals consume fruits and vegetables for a variety of reasons, including reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.  Consuming fruits and vegetables during adolescents is important not only for healthy growth, but also because health behaviors may continue into adulthood.  The US Department of Agriculture recommends that adolescents between the ages of 14-18 consume 1.5 – 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 – 3 cups of vegetables per day.  Research shows that youth eat fewer fruits and vegetables than the recommended amounts.

To introduce alternative ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into daily meals, the Caldwell County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Health teacher at Caldwell County Middle School to offer a series of programs to 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students.  Students learned about MyPlate, ways to increase fruit and vegetable intake, and basic food preparation skills.  Recipes prepared and sampled included: Fruit pizza, Breakfast burrito, Tortilla Pizza, Strawberry pancakes, and Colorful Quesadilla.  Each recipe contained a healthier twist on the traditional recipe and incorporated a fruit or vegetable. Students were encouraged to try combinations of fruits or vegetables that they had never tried before.

100- 8^th graders, 98- 7^th graders, and 99- 6^th graders were surveyed following the programs.  46 % of 8^th graders tried spinach in a quesadilla for the first time, 48 % tried peppers and onions in a quesadilla for the first time, 41% tried zucchini for the first time, and 29% tried squash for the first time.  40 % of 7^th graders tried cranberries for the first time and 79 % improved knowledge of MyPlate. 43 % tried frozen blueberries for the first time and 30% tried mango for the first time.  Of all surveyed participants, 82 % improved knowledge of safety in the kitchen and 89% would like to know more about food preparation.   Comments heard throughout the series included: “I don’t normally like spinach, but this is good.”  “I’m the best cook alive.”  “I’m going to make this at home.”