Implementation and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Farm to School Program in Rural Wisconsin Area Elementary Schools

摘要

The effectiveness of the Farm to School (F2S) program for increasing acceptance of and knowledge about fruits and vegetables was evaluated in school-aged children. Programming included taste-testing and a series of 30-minute nutrition lessons. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to 4th and 5th grade students in similar school districts. Exposure through taste testing did not increase acceptance of fruits and vegetables, but improved nutrition knowledge {p= .003). Knowledge was also improved in students receiving nutrition lessons (p = .04). Future research should aim for consistent intervention and outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness F2S programs over an extended period.