1. 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

2. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Overview  Introduction & Background  USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program  1 st Try at Evaluating Program  A 2 nd Chance  2008-09 Evaluation Results  2009-10 Research Plans  Questions and Discussion

4. 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).

5. The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

6. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

9. The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program In WI  2008-09 -56 schools -$870,996 -$50.97 per student -program becomes national -US Farm Bill  2006-07 -WI added as pilot -25 schools -$1 million -$67.70 per student  2009-10 -73 schools -$1.35 million -$50.20 per student  2007-08 -2006-07 money left over

11. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2006-07 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

12. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2006-07 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

14. 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 2008-09 Evaluation Process (2 nd Chance)

17. 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

18. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

19. Full Sample Demographics N = 346

20. Pre-Test (N = 346)

22. Sample Lunch Menu

23. Post-Test (N = 346)

24. 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

25. Intervention Schools Control Schools

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

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

28. What FV Snacks Were Provided?

29. 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!

30. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2009-10 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

31. Tracking Student Snack Behavior

32. 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.

33. Mango Gazpacho Mango Gazpacho

35. More Information  F as in Fat –http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/  USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program –http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/FactSheets/FFVP_Quick_Facts.htmhttp://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/FactSheets/FFVP_Quick_Facts.htm  WI Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program –http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/ffvp.htmlhttp://dpi.wi.gov/fns/ffvp.html  Centers For Disease Control & Prevention –http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/index.html  Produce For Better Health –http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

36. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire  Eric Jamelske & Lori Bica –jamelsem@uwec.edu, bicala@uwec.edujamelsem@uwec.edubicala@uwec.edu Questions?