Success StoryVariety in the Diet



Variety in the Diet

Author: Rachel Wright

Planning Unit: Rockcastle County CES

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, fruit and vegetable consumption among American youth is low; just 9% of students meet the fruit recommendation, and only 2% meet the vegetable recommendations. 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Assistant in Rockcastle County, Kentucky provided a 6 week program at the Rockcastle County Middle School using the Teen Cuisine curriculum with 8th grade students.  22 students participated in the program.  Each week students participated in making a recipe that incorporated foods from all five food groups.  The goal was to increase exposure and consumption of a healthy variety of food.  

At the post evaluation, 86% of students improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations.  At least half of the students showed improvement on fruit and vegetable consumption.