Author: Katherine Jury
Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences
Major Program: Youth Fruit & Vegetable Access
Plan of Work: SNAP Education
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Hopkins County ranks 4th highest in the state for childhood obesity, and 53th out of 120 counties for overall health outcomes. One important factor that contributes to obesity and health outcomes is healthy eating. In an effort to combat these problems, the Hopkins County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Science, in partnership with the SNAP-Ed. Assistant, Hopkins County Agents for 4-H and Youth Development, Hopkins County Agent for Horticulture, the Hopkins County Health Department, and the West Area Health Education Center provided all children at Pride Elementary School with a month-long program, “Food for Thought” aimed at introducing new healthy foods into student’s diets. Each week, students learned about the health benefits of a new fruit or vegetable, read a LEAP book about the food, and taste the food during the school day. Students sampled snap peas, blueberry/banana smoothies, and pumpkin apple muffins. A total of 480 students participated in the program. On post-program surveys, 90% (432) of students reported that they tried at least one new food during the program. On post-post program surveys, 71% (341) of students reported that they have eaten at least one of the new foods at home since the conclusion of the Food for Thought program. Programs that promote accessing and consuming fruits and vegetables are an essential part of increasing children’s access to healthy food choices, which in turn positively affect obesity rankings, and overall health outcomes.
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