eval report cover.indd - New Jersey Farm to School Network Wiki

Comparative Research: Verbal Prompts for Fruit and JuiceTh e influence of a verbal prompt on school lunch fruit consumption: apilot study. Schwartz MB. International Journal of Behavioral Nutritionand Physical Activity. 2007; 4:6 doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-4-6.Review of Farm to School Evaluation LiteratureResearchers conducted a small pilot test to determine if students purchasing school lunch wouldbe more likely to take and eat fruit or juice if a cafeteria worker gave them a verbal prompt. Th eyfound that students were more likely to take fruit and juice if they were specifically asked “Wouldyou like fruit or juice with your lunch?” Students were more likely to actually eat the fruit theyhad chosen with the prompt, but they were not more likely to drink the juice that was taken afterthe prompt. Th is study suggests that verbal cues as part of the school food environment couldincrease fruit consumption among elementary school students, but more studies are needed.With the local wellness policies, school districts have a unique opportunity to embraceefforts such as farm to school and use the opportunity to develop lasting policies thatwill ensure health and nutrition for school children in years to come. Policy changesthat promote farm to school purchasing and educational programming ensure that theprogram is not dependent on the presence of a supportive individual to carry it through.Policy support is one way of institutionalizing the farm to school approach in schooldistricts across the country. All five school districts listed on the previous page reportthat changes in the districts’ nutritional policy contributed to the continued success ofthe farm to school programs.Changes in city, county, state and federal policyInformation available from the National Farm to School Network on county and statepolicy initiatives and organizing efforts around farm to school are listed here for reference.►Missoula County, MT encourages the purchase of local agricultural productsthrough legislation enacted in 2005. The Missoula Greenhouse Gas and EnergyEfficiency Plan and Joint Resolution 6889, state that both the city and countygovernments will “actively support efforts to increase the security of the localfood system so that it is based on sustainable agriculture.” 60At the state level, approximately 19 states have already passed legislation relating tothe purchase of local fresh fruits and vegetables, and many more are in the works. 61Th e various types of state policies that have been proposed or passed are highlightedbelow:►►►►Allocate additional funds for fruits and vegetables, using local product whenavailable, e.g. in CA, 62 NY, 63 WA. 64When price, quality and other factors are equal, local product shall be preferentiallypurchased, e.g. in CO, 65 KY, 66 WA. 67State sets up a fresh fruit and vegetable pilot program, requiring local freshproduct when possible, e.g. in CO. 68A portion of funding from an established program is designated towards purchasinglocal fruits and vegetables, e.g. in CO. 6840 Bearing Fruit: Farm to School Evaluation Resources and Recommendations