Tools- of Changes

School-Based Gardening and Food Programs Have Lasting Impacts on Dietary Behaviors

Experiential food education programs in elementary schools can have immediate and lasting impacts.

• This focus group study explored the impacts of the FRESHFARM FoodPrints food education program in 20 urban elementary schools in one district in the eastern United States. About 75% of the students in these schools were from economically disadvantaged communities.
• The FoodPrints program places trained food education teaching teams in partner schools to lead regular programming using a standards-aligned curriculum that provides hands-on gardening, harvesting, cooking, and eating experiences that are integrated with nutrition and science.
• The curriculum includes nine two-hour lessons for each grade from pre-kindergarten (pre-K) to fifth grade. Each lesson includes outdoor activities in the garden and then connects to core academic areas with a literacy focus.
• Nine focus groups were held. Participants included current and alumni students, covering nearly 15 years that the program has been in place.
• The research uncovered nine themes across three impact categories.
• Immediate Impact: (1) Enjoyment of food experiences, (2) hands-on learning of food skills, and (3) connection with peers through a shared experience.
• Impacts Beyond the Classroom: (4) Shifting individual and family food choices, (5) increased the involvement of students in family food practices, and (6) interest in fresh food options at school.
• Sustained Impact - lasting over a year: (7) Appreciation for fresh food, (8) openness to trying new foods, and (9) confidence in making food decisions.