University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity 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 ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

OverviewOverview

Introduction & Background USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program 1st Try at Evaluating Program A 2nd Chance 2008-09 Evaluation Results 2009-10 Research Plans Questions and Discussion

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

IntroductionIntroduction

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 ProgramThe Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program In WIThe 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

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

2006-07 Evaluation Process (1st Try)2006-07 Evaluation Process (1st 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 ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

2006-07 Evaluation Results (1st Try)2006-07 Evaluation Results (1st 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 ClaireUniversity 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 (2nd Chance)2008-09 Evaluation Process (2nd Chance)

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Fruit & Vegetable Snack DistributionFruit & 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 ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Full Sample Demographics N = 346Full Sample Demographics N = 346

Pre-Test (N = 346)Pre-Test (N = 346)

Pre-Test (N = 346)Pre-Test (N = 346)

Sample Lunch MenuSample Lunch Menu

Pre-Test: Daily Fruit and Vegetable IntakePre-Test: Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Post-Test: Daily Fruit and Vegetable IntakePost-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

Post Test Morning Snack ComparisonPost 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 Change in F&V Intake Regression

Control Variables– lunch type, race, gender, grade

What FV Snacks Were Provided?What FV Snacks Were Provided?

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The FFVP Works!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 ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

2009-10 Research Design2009-10 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

Tracking Student Snack BehaviorTracking Student Snack Behavior

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

ConclusionConclusion

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 GazpachoMango

Gazpacho

More InformationMore Information

F as in Fat– http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/

USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program– http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/FactSheets/FFVP_Quick_Facts.htm

WI Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program– http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/ffvp.html

Centers For Disease Control & Prevention– http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/index.html

Produce For Better Health– http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Eric Jamelske & Lori Bica– jamelsem@uwec.edu, bicala@uwec.edu

Questions?Questions?