The “Food for Thought” nutrition program made a remarkable impact on students by introducing them to new, healthy foods and encouraging mindful eating habits. The hands-on tasting experience created a fun and engaging environment for students to explore flavors they had never tried before—all while learning valuable lessons about nutrition and wellness.

Out of the participating students, an impressive 128 students reported trying at least one new food during the program. This is a powerful indicator of curiosity and openness to new healthy options—key steps toward forming lasting healthy habits.

Students were invited to taste a variety of nutritious items, and the results showed strong participation across the board:

• Turnips with ranch: 100 students tasted them
• Smoothies: 126 students participated
• Tostitos and salsa: 114 students tried them
• Trail mix: 114 students tasted it

When asked about their favorite food from the tasting, smoothies topped the list with 98 votes, followed by trail mix (27), Tostitos and salsa (20), and turnips with ranch (14). This feedback highlights that nutritious options like smoothies can be both appealing and enjoyable to students when presented in fun, creative ways.

The program’s impact extended beyond the classroom. When asked if they had eaten one of the featured foods again since the program, 72 students said yes—a clear sign that these new tastes are making their way into students’ lives and homes.

This data affirms that “Food for Thought” successfully sparked interest in healthy foods and influenced students' eating behaviors. By combining tasting opportunities with nutritional education, the program empowered students to make better food choices—and enjoy doing it.