What Works? Process Evaluation of a School-Based Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Program in Mississippi

Abstract

The program fit well within the school structure and could be an effective component of a multifaceted approach to enhancing child nutrition.

Strategies to reduce plate waste in primary schools – experimental evaluation

“…However, effective results of these interventions are scarce. Furthermore, the majority of studies developed in school canteens are focused on fruit and vegetable consumption and not on plate waste reduction (15,27,30) . For this reason, our results will only be compared with those focusing on food waste.…”

“…For instance, in a school-based programme developed in Mississippi, the main objective of which was to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, involving teachers and school staff eating food items and being a role model resulted in a positive effect on children's intake (27) . Reducing plate waste depends on many factors and will require action by school administrators as well as teachers, school lunch managers and other staff.…”

“…Additionally, it has been suggested that schools can reduce 40-60 % of waste by implementing policies that reduce the amount of uneaten food (26) . Children's nutrition education and the role of teachers as models have been also investigated as possible strategies to influence children's behaviour in the school setting, having a positive effect on children's consumption (27) .…”

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Participation in Elementary Schools in the United States and Availability of Fruits and Vegetables in School Lunch Meals

“…27 A number of evaluations about FFVP feasibility, acceptability, and influence indicated that the program was well implemented and well received by students and school staff. 27,28 Students participating in the FFVP were exposed to a large variety of F/V and the program improved students' knowledge, preference, and willingness to try different F/V. [27][28][29][30] In studies that measured F/V consumption, students in FFVP-participating schools increased consumption of fruits 29,31,32 and combined F/V.…”

Pre-sliced or do it yourself? – Determinants of schoolchildren’s acceptance of convenience fruits and vegetables

“…Interventions in schools are seen as an effective instrument for improving the F&V intake of children (Howerton et al, 2007;Potter et al, 2011), and the European Commission (EU) Agriculture Ministers agreed in November 2008 to introduce an EU School Fruit Scheme (SFS) to promote the consumption of F&V among European school children. In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the largest federal state in Germany, the SFS has been in operation since March 2010.…”