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

FFF-IL: FRESH FROM THE FARM PROGRAM AT LOZANOBILINGUAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL (LBICS)–A PROJECT OF SEVEN GENERATIONS AHEAD, ILLINOISLozano Bilingual andInternational CharterSchool, Chicago, ILFree / reduced mealeligibility: 95%Total schools: 1Enrollment: 615Demographics:93% Hispanic, 4% African-American, 3% WhiteLocal product used in:Classroom taste tests aspart of curriculumOther program components:School garden, farm tours,parent education, local foodsmarket basket program forparents and teachersSeven Generations Ahead and its project partner,Growing Power, implemented a myriad of activitiesrelated to local food and nutrition educationat Lozano Bilingual School in Chicago, IL.An evaluation of 2005-06 year activities was conductedto assess the impacts of the Fresh from the Farm (FFF)curriculum implementation at LBICS on healthy eatingand lifestyle changes in students and parents. TheFFF program aimed to change student knowledge,attitudes, and behavior related to food and nutritionthrough implementation of an eight week curriculum ingrades fi v e and six at LBICS. Students in participatingclassrooms completed pre and post curriculum surveys(N=69). A farm fi e ld trip was conducted and evaluatedusing a survey (N=75). Parents (40 pre and 32 post)completed surveys designed to assess their perceptionof their children’s eating behaviors and their own knowledgeand attitudes about food and nutrition. Anothergoal of the program was to increase parental knowledgeand change attitudes about diet and nutrition through aHealth Eating Night event, and 19 parents evaluated this event.A more rigorous assessment of what students were actually eating during the day was notfeasible. The impact of FFF on parental knowledge and attitudes was not as clearly defined.Since this was a one-time intervention, it was not possible to follow up. For a more lastingand substantial effect, parents need to be engaged through regular interactions and involvementin the curriculum activities.Th e results generally showed a positive effect of the program, but it is not known if theresults were lasting or resulted in sustained behavioral changes. Funding was provided bythe USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants.Th e evaluation of the program was led by researchers from the Center for Food & Justice,UEPI, Occidental College.Joshi A and Azuma AM, Year One Evaluation Report: Fresh from the Farm Program Implementation at LozanoBilingual and International Center School, Chicago, October 2006.Conclusions Farm to School and Program RecommendationsProfilesJoshi A, Kalb M, Beery M, Going Local: Paths to success for farm to school programs. Case study “Illinois: Freshfrom the Farm -and into the Classroom,” December 2006.www.farmtoschool.org 71