Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to prevent various health conditions. Consuming the recommended amount of vegetables each day is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity. This equals 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, depending on age and gender. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 6.3% of adults in Kentucky meet the daily vegetable intake recommendations and most youth still do not meet fruit and vegetable recommendations. In addition, Kentucky is ranked third out of 51 states for childhood obesity and in 2018, 20.8% of youth ages 10 to 17 were categorized as obese. 

In order to increase healthy eating in Kentucky youth, the Woodford County FCS Extension Agent partnered with Woodford County Middle School to implement the Smarter Lunchrooms Marketing Project as well as the NEP Plate Waste Pilot Study. The project reinforces healthy eating and nudges youth toward nutritious foods by using evidence-based, lunchroom-focused principles to promote healthy eating. This is done by implementing low-cost/no-cost changes in lunchrooms that focus on changing the school lunch environment. Therefore, increasing fruit and vegetable sales and participation by encouraging greater consumption of healthier foods, all while keeping a variety of food choices for students without completely eliminating unhealthy choices from the menu.

Schools and school cafeterias are in a unique position to provide students with opportunities to learn about and practice healthy eating behaviors.  In Woodford County, the FCS Agent met with the Cafeteria Manager to analyze current practices to encourage healthy eating as well as areas for improvement. They agreed to focus specifically on increased vegetable consumption. Posters, large dry-erase menu boards, clear serving bowls, banners, and daily vegetable fact cards based on each vegetable being served were supplied from NEP and were used throughout the cafeteria to help nudge youth to choose healthier options

Before the intervention, Woodford County Middle School had 121.99 pounds of fruit and vegetable waste. After the intervention, fruit and vegetable waste was 106.95 pounds. For that reason, preliminary data appears to show that fruit and vegetable intake increased by means of plate waste decreased.