Formative Research to Create a Farm‐to‐School Program for High School Students in a Lower Income, Diverse, Urban Community

Abstract

These findings provide theory-based strategies for how to promote local produce consumption among a diverse group of urban high schools students.

What are the determinants of vegetable intake among adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged urban areas? A systematic review of qualitative studies

“…Twelve studies were conducted in the United States (US) [ 37 , 39 – 47 , 50 , 51 ], two in Europe [ 48 , 49 ], one in Australia [ 52 ] and another one in New Zealand [ 38 ]. Eight studies included a range of ethnic groups [ 37 – 40 , 42 , 44 , 50 , 51 ], three studies exclusively focused on African American populations [ 41 , 46 , 47 ], one study [ 43 ] targeted Asian American people including Chinese, Vietnamese and Hmong participants, and one study [ 45 ] exclusively focused on Hmong (Southeast Asian origin) participants. Three manuscripts [ 48 , 49 , 52 ] did not provide details about race/ethnicity.…”

“…Interviews data were analyzed using content analysis and coding techniques Gerritsen, 2019 [ 38 ] Fruit and vegetable intake Community-based: 17 students, parents,teachers, community leaders, local retailers, and health promoters Sex: mixed Age: 16-25 years Race/ethnicity: Maori, Pacific, Asian and New Zealand European Setting: neighborhood community Country: New Zealand Three group model building workshops with all participants together No information Structured system dynamics method to create a causal loop diagram Goh, 2009 [ 42 ] Healthy eating (and physical activity) School- based (2 schools): 119 adolescents, 63 parents, and 28 community stakeholders Sex: mixed Age: mean 12 years (7th-8th graders) Race/ethnicity: 58% Latino Setting: middle school Country: US FG discussions: 6 male teenagers FGs, 8 female teenagers FGs, 8 parent FGs. 28 interviews with community stakeholders No information No information Greer, 2018 [ 50 ] Local produce consumption School-based (3 schools): 53 students Sex: mixed Age: no information Race/ethnicity: non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic white and Asian Setting: public high schools Country: US 6 students FGs (2 FGs per school) Social cognitive theory No information Harrison, 2005 [ 43 ] Dietary habits, attitudes and knowledge Community-based: 236 participants (15 key informants, 116 parents, and 105 youth participants) Sex: no info Age: 11-14 years Race/ethnicity: Asian American (Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong) Setting: community-based organizations Country: US 24 youth and parents FGs 15 interviews with key informants No information Simple thematic content analysis was used to summarize the data by ethnic group and across groups Kubik, 2005 [ 44 ] Dietary practice (and physical activity) School-based (7 alternate...…”

“…Nine studies [ 38 , 40 – 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 ] used source triangulation by interviewing parents, school staff, key informants from school, including school leadership roles and district school food administrators, and/or from the community, e.g., youth service providers, local retailers, community center administrators, community leaders or health promoters, in addition to adolescents. The majority of the participants were recruited through either high schools [ 37 , 39 , 46 , 48 , 50 – 52 ] or middle schools [ 40 , 42 ]. Four studies used community organizations [ 38 , 41 , 43 , 45 ].…”

“…Three studies focused on adolescents attending alternative schools [ 44 ], recreation centers [ 47 ] or youth support services [ 49 ]. Half of the studies combined focus groups and interviews to collect data from participants [ 40 – 43 , 45 – 47 , 49 ], six studies exclusively used focus groups [ 37 , 39 , 44 , 48 , 50 , 51 ], one study collected data through phone interviews [ 52 ] and another study used model building workshops [ 38 ]. Two studies also gathered data through direct observation [ 41 , 47 ].…”

Evaluation of a Farm‐to‐School Intervention to Improve Locally Grown Vegetable Choices of Low‐Income, Primary School Students

“…Previous Farm‐to‐School research has indicated that hands‐on, food‐based classroom and garden nutrition education effectively increases students' fruit and vegetable knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, exposure, self‐efficacy, willingness to try, preference, and consumption 10,29‐33 . However, exposure to the local messaging 34 and the local vegetables may also affect these behaviors.…”