Pick it! Try it! Like it!: A Grocery Store-Based Approach to Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Grocery stores can serve as a location to promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Pick it! Try it! Like it! is a collection of resources providing information on 43 different fruits and vegetables that can be grown in Midwestern climates, being used in grocery stores as point-of-purchase education. An evaluation of individuals who shopped in grocery stores where materials were being used showed program recognition increased before and after implementation. Information obtained regarding shopping and food preparation habits will allow for further refining of materials. These materials, in addition to materials targeting youth and seniors, promote fruits and vegetables community-wide

Qualitative Analysis of Grocery Store and Farmers Market Manager Perceptions Regarding Use of Fruit and Vegetable Educational Materials

The Pick it! Try it! Like it! (PTL) educational resource set, developed to display in grocery stores and farmers markets, teaches individuals how to shop for and prepare healthy fruit and vegetable dishes. Because program buy-in must be obtained from location managers before implementation occurs, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the perceptions that grocery store and farmers market managers have regarding PTL implementation. Locations that requested PTL materials during 2013-14 were contacted and asked to answer 13 questions. Responses were analyzed using the content analysis method with themes generated and frequencies reported. Analyses examined manager perceptions for indications of buy-in to the PTL program or evidence of negative gatekeeper challenges to implementation. Overall, managers reported the PTL resource set as beneficial; however, barriers were identified which can be used in future program planning

Pick it! Try it! Like it!: A Grocery Store-Based Approach to Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Grocery stores can serve as a location to promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Pick it! Try it! Like it! is a collection of resources providing information on 43 different fruits and vegetables that can be grown in Midwestern climates, being used in grocery stores as point-of-purchase education. An evaluation of individuals who shopped in grocery stores where materials were being used showed program recognition increased before and after implementation. Information obtained regarding shopping and food preparation habits will allow for further refining of materials. These materials, in addition to materials targeting youth and seniors, promote fruits and vegetables community-wide

The Impact of a Fruit and Vegetable Intervention on Children and Caregivers

Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption is important; however, intake remains low among children. Simple, effective classroom-based interventions are needed. Purpose: To assess the impact of South Dakota Harvest of the Month (SD HOM) on child fruit and vegetable knowledge and consumption and to determine caregiver reach. Methods: Educators delivered 8 classroom-based nutrition education lessons, which included produce taste-testing. Cross-sectional assessment data were collected pre- and postintervention in over 1200 children and postintervention in caregivers (N = 142). Results: Program awareness and fruit and vegetable knowledge increased among children. Postintervention, children were less likely to be in the low fruit and vegetable consumption groups and more likely to be in the high consumption groups. Over 80% of caregivers who responded indicated they were aware of HOM and many (55%) used the handouts brought home. Caregivers indicated that children asked for more fruits and vegetables (72.7%) and seemed more willing to taste or eat them (83.5%). Discussion: Utilizing fewer components than other successful fruit and vegetable interventions, SD HOM positively influenced children\u27s fruit and vegetable consumption and knowledge and reached their caregivers. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators are encouraged to access freely available SD HOM materials and implement the program as appropriate

“Fun Fruit and Veggie Event” Enhances Acceptance of Fruits and Vegetables in School-Aged Children

This study assessed the effectiveness of a Fun Fruit and Veggie Event on the acceptance of fruits and vegetables, using mean differences between pre- and postsurveys, in school-aged children from 15 schools in South Dakota: kindergarten to 4th grade (K-4, n = 787) and 5th to 12th grades (5-12, n = 310). The event had a positive impact on fruit and vegetable acceptance, knowledge, action steps to incorporate fruits and vegetables into the diet, and consumption. The K-4 students increased acceptance for 3 of the 6 vegetables and showed no change in fruit acceptance. The 5-12 students increased acceptance for 17 of the 31 vegetables and 13 of the 22 fruits, had significant improvement in basic knowledge of fruits and vegetables (P \u3c .001), willingness to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into the diet in 3 of 12 scenarios, and increased consumption of 100% fruit juice (P \u3c .001) and fruits (P \u3c .0001). Teacher surveys indicated that students had a greater awareness of fruits and vegetables. School-based interventions that include fruits and vegetables in a fun and exciting manner enhance knowledge and self-reported acceptance of fruits and vegetables in children

Fun with Foodella: A Pilot Study for Determining the Efficacy of a 2nd Grade Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum

Fun with Foodella is a nutrition and physical activity workbook designed for elementary-aged youth. The objective was to determine if the Fun with Foodella program increased participant preference for fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and physical activity. Four intervention (53 students) and four control (68 students) schools participated. Significant results within the intervention group included a positive preference change for cucumbers, celery, pineapple, flavored milk, cheese, yogurt, and physical activity. This pilot Foodella program, coordinated by Extension professionals, demonstrates that promoting nutrition education, taste testing and physical activity in second graders results in positive change

Fun with Foodella: A Pilot Study for Determining the Efficacy of a 2nd Grade Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum

Fun with Foodella is a nutrition and physical activity workbook designed for elementary-aged youth. The objective was to determine if the Fun with Foodella program increased participant preference for fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and physical activity. Four intervention (53 students) and four control (68 students) schools participated. Significant results within the intervention group included a positive preference change for cucumbers, celery, pineapple, flavored milk, cheese, yogurt, and physical activity. This pilot Foodella program, coordinated by Extension professionals, demonstrates that promoting nutrition education, taste testing and physical activity in second graders results in positive change