Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE)

Workshop

A training developed as part of the California School Garden Training Program

www.lifelab.org/csgt

Funded by a California Department of Food and

Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

2000

2010

1990

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 2000, 2010

(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)

We have the potential to help change this trend!

A healthy diet, together with sufficient physical activity, can contribute to life-long physical, mental, and

psychological wellbeing.

Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE)

Gardening and food preparation provide a fun, engaging, hands-on way to learn about nutritious food.

Teach children basic nutrition concepts, such as the value of eating a variety of colors or balancing the food groups.

Teach children what fruits and vegetables do for their bodies.Provide students with positive experiences with

fresh fruits and vegetables.Teach students an appreciation of food and

how it gets from farm to fork.Connect to multiple academic subject areas. Get students outdoors and active.

By Teaching GENE Lessons We Strive To:

Students who plant and harvest their own fruits and veggies are more likely to eat them.

Three schools in Vacaville, CA Nutrition education + gardening (GENE) Nutrition education only (N) Control group (regular instruction)

GENE group = significant improvements in 4th grade students’ Nutrition knowledge Preferences for certain vegetables--both grown in the

garden and from the supermarket

Morris, Zidenberg-Cherr UC Davis 2002

Research supports Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education

Also ~

Increased consumption at home

Willingness to eat vegetables as a snack and ask a family member to buy certain vegetables

Follow-up showed that results were retained 6 months later

Specific Study on Increases in ConsumptionIdaho—6th Graders

McAleese & Rankin, American Dietetic Association 2007

For GENE school The number of servings of fruits and vegetables

combined more than doubled from 1.93 to 4.5 servings per day.

Significantly increased Vitamin C, A and Fiber consumption

Non GENE Schools - No significant increase in fruit/veg, Vitamin C, A or Fiber intake.

GENE in Action

MyPlate, My GardenMyPlate, My Garden

www.lifelab.org/garden-pathways/

Where is GENE Happening?

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php

Where are you from &What do you do?

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php

Workshop Goals

Recognize how garden-enhanced nutrition education promotes the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy lifestyles.

Understand how to use an edible garden to engage young people in hands-on nutrition education activities.

Learn tools and strategies for involving children and youth in safe food handling and preparation in a garden, kitchen, or classroom.

Workshop Goals

Learn how to plan for an edible harvest. Become familiar with resources related to

garden-enhanced nutrition education. Network with others involved in garden-

enhanced nutrition education around relevant topics, such as funding, policy, and best practices.

Find GENE content at www.csgn.org/gene

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php