University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Evaluating the USDA Fresh Fruit &Vegetable Program Evaluating the USDA Fresh Fruit &Vegetable Program Blake Barnes, Amber Jamelske, Bryan Reinhold, Kevin Reinhold and Liz Reinke Lori Bica and Eric Jamelske Economics & Psychology Departments University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chippewa Valley Center for Economic Research & Development

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Overview  Introduction & Background  USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program  1 st Try at Evaluating Program  A 2 nd Chance  Evaluation Results  Research Plans  Questions and Discussion

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Introduction  Rising childhood obesity (CDC, Surgeon General, USDHHS).  Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption.  F&V intake has been shown to be effective in weight management and also lower risk of disease (CDC, Surgeon General, USDHHS).  USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) was created to improve nutrition and help combat childhood obesity (2002).

The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program In WI  schools -$870,996 -$50.97 per student -program becomes national -US Farm Bill  WI added as pilot -25 schools -$1 million -$67.70 per student  schools -$1.35 million -$50.20 per student  money left over

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Evaluation Process (1 st Try)  Pre-program survey  Post-program survey I & Post-program survey II  Questions on student knowledge of and attitudes toward fruits and vegetables as well as F/V consumption.  Average daily F/V intake (across 3 days)  Intervention schools (25) & matched control schools (15) –before and after experiment

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Evaluation Results (1 st Try)  Students participating in the program showed an increased willingness to try new fruit and vegetable items served in school.  Unfortunately we were not able to say anything about the program impact on F/V consumption.  Largely due to flawed survey design and implementation. –too many schools, not enough manpower

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire  4 Eau Claire schools –All elementary schools, 2 program and 2 control (not 40)  Hands on survey administration –Walk students through each question  New survey design (same survey timing, pre-post1-post2, 3 total) –Day In The Life Questionnaire –Average daily incidence of F/V intake (3 days) –Not caloric intake or number of servings F/V Evaluation Process (2 nd Chance)

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Fruit & Vegetable Snack Distribution  Free F/V morning snack in the classroom  School 1: Four days per week –watermelon, cucumber, apple, peach, none  School 2: Three days per week –none, grapes, carrots, apple, none

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Full Sample Demographics N = 346

Pre-Test (N = 346)

Sample Lunch Menu

Post-Test (N = 346)

Pre-Test: Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intake Post-Test: Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intake -School 1: watermelon (92%), cucumber (73%), apple (81%), peach, none -School 2: none, grapes (84%), carrots (62%), apple, none

Intervention Schools Control Schools

Post Test Morning Snack Comparison  Free F/V morning snack (3/4 days per week) –School 1: watermelon (92%) –School 2: none

Change in F&V Intake Regression  Control Variables –lunch type, race, gender, grade

What FV Snacks Were Provided?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire The FFVP Works!  Strong ↑ FV intake of participating students by providing free access to during the morning snack period.  No evidence of ↑ FV intake without free access.  If students are provided with free FV….. THEY WILL EAT THEM!

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Research Design  4 New schools, 2 surveys (pre and post)  Normal intervention and intensive intervention (incentives)  Matched control schools  Focus on F/V intake analysis  Study incentives

Tracking Student Snack Behavior

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Conclusion  Very important and timely project.  Hopeful that our newest evaluation process will yield even more meaningful and valuable results.  Give schools the tools to increase F/V consumption  Other WI schools may collect similar data.  Other states may also use this research protocol.

Mango Gazpacho Mango Gazpacho

More Information  F as in Fat –  USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program –  WI Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program –  Centers For Disease Control & Prevention –  Produce For Better Health –

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire  Eric Jamelske & Lori Bica Questions?