Experiential food education programs like gardening and cooking lessons have become more popular in schools and communities to encourage kids to eat fruits and vegetables.
A recent study looked at the long-term effects of these programs, and they seem to be pretty impressive.
Let's find out more.
A curious experiment
The study looked at kids who are currently participating or used to participate in the FRESHFARM FoodPrints program in a city school district.
The program has been around for about 15 years, and some of the kids who were in it are now young adults.
Researchers watched the classes, talked to the program teachers and staff, and held group discussions with current and former students to learn more.
They found nine main things that happened because of the program, split into three groups: immediate impact, impact outside of class, and long-term impact.
The immediate impact included enjoying food experiences, learning useful cooking skills, and making friends through the program.
Outside of class, the program influenced what the kids and their families chose to eat, got the kids more involved in their families' food choices, and made them interested in healthy food at school.
Over time, the program made the kids appreciate fresh food more, made them willing to try new foods, and gave them more confidence in making healthy food choices.
Why it's important
The lead author of the study emphasized the importance of investing in experiential food education in elementary schools, as it can contribute to the development of healthy eating habits as children grow up.
These findings highlight the positive influence of food education programs and demonstrate the potential for long-term impacts on children's food choices and behaviors.
Previously, we talked about cooking pasta with pesto.
