Extension to Families page Hyperlink to ISU Extension to Families Hyperlink to Families Extension Staff Hyperlink to Success Stories Hyperlink to Who Should I Contact? Hyperlink to Find It Hyperlink to For Staff

Success Story – June 2006

Problem:
According to the 1995 Iowa Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), only 15 percent of adults eat the minimum recommendation of three vegetables and two fruits each day (the national average is 23 percent). Furthermore, Iowa is a state with a high rate of obesity and individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Response:
 In the spring of 2005, the Johnson County Extension Council voted to spend $24,000 to take the Pick a Better Snack program into 9 elementary schools in the Iowa City Community School District. The Council encouraged staff to work with schools interested in nutrition education – there were no income guidelines. Earlier in the year, health mentors in the schools district had learned about the program and responded to the Extension Office if they wished to be a participating school.

Lisa Yoder was hired for 20 hours each week to assist Melissa Stahl in implementing the school nutrition program. To reach as many students as possible, it was decided to work with a school for just 9 weeks enabling three groups of 9 sessions – Fall, Winter and Spring. Six classrooms are about all that can be reached during the school day with a 30 minute lesson so we focused on 1st and 2nd grade students. The nine schools involved in the county funded nutrition education program and the produce items shared were:

Fall
Winter
Spring

Lucas

Horn

Kirkwood

Shimek

Weber

Van Allen

Central

 

 

Wickham

Longfellow

  

 

Fall
Winter
Spring

1. Plums

 1. Pears 1. Mango
2. Clementine's 2. Pineapple 2. Pineapple
3. Grapes 3. Grapes 3. Strawberries
4. Carrots 4. Celery 4. Spinach
5. Pumpkin

5. Cabbage
(Veggie Flip)

5. Cabbage
(Veggie Flip)

6. Jicama 6. Jicama 6. Jicama
7. Banana 7. Banana 7. Banana
8. Broccoli 8. Broccoli 8. Broccoli
9. Apples 9. Apples 9. Apples

Note: Produce items are grouped by season, but actual order in the classroom may vary within the season.

Impact:
The nutrition program funded by the Johnson County Extension Council reached a total of 849 youth in 43 classrooms in 9 schools. Over 90 percent of the teachers reported that they felt the program benefited their students. Many commented about how excited the students were on Pick a Better Snack Day and that the students did a great job of trying new foods. Over 60 percent reported that they heard their students discussing the program and what they had learned in the lunchroom or on the play ground. Over 35 percent of the teachers reported observing the students eating MORE fruits and vegetables as a result of the program.

Parents were asked to respond to a take-home survey. A little over 40 percent of the surveys were returned, but that does not account for parents with more than one child participating in the program. Of those responding, 94 percent indicated their children talked about the program at home. Over 75 percent reported observing their children eating more fruits and vegetables at home plus 68 percent encouraged their parents to buy more fruits and vegetables when shopping. Over 96 percent would recommend the program to others.

Teacher Comments:

  • The students tried foods that normally they would not have tried and some said it was good to at least try it, you might like it. They said healthy choices, fruits and vegetables, are tastier than cakes and cookies. I thought it was great and gave the kids an opportunity to see just how good healthy snacks can be. The students were highly interested in the lessons and the snacks. The lessons were very kid friendly.
  • The students are more open and willing to be brave with foods they have not cared for. This was a wonderful program! I hope this program will continue in the future.
  • Party treats now seem to be healthier choices in our classroom.
  • I heard children going through the lunch line making connections to foods they had eaten in class. Their comments were very positive. One day there was any empty broccoli container with just a piece of broccoli left. I heard children say, “Oh no! We love broccoli! I wish we could have some!”
  • The kids have made many positive comments about making better choices both at home and at school. They have also commented on what others bring for their lunch and our class snack. The kids really enjoyed it and continue to frequently discuss what they learned.
  • When I reminded students in the lunchroom to eat fresh carrots, broccoli, etc., they would say, “Pick a Better Snack!”

Parent Comments:

  • Good to provide the kids an opportunity to try different vegetables and fruits they may not have tried otherwise.
  • It’s good to have the information come from someone other than parents’ because they listen better sometimes.
  • I’m glad to have programs at school reinforcing what we are trying to teach at home. My son has decided he drinks too much pop and juice. I have to buy more bottled water.
  • My daughter thought all of the snacks were really good. She was more willing to try something she didn’t think she’d like at school than she would at home.
  • Learning good nutrition is as important as learning to read and write.
  • My son talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk. The program got my child not to be so picky on fruits and vegetables.
  • I’m glad you included all the recipes. Thanks! My child really enjoyed the program.
  • This is a great program to expose kids to healthy food.
  • My daughter mentioned the snack program several times and seemed proud of herself for trying new foods.
  • Program doesn’t go far enough. It needs to be school-wide. . . . including classroom rewards, treats and school lunches.

Contact:
Jan Temple, Nutrition and Health Field Specialist
4265 Oak Crest Hill Road SE
Iowa City, IA 52246
Phone 319-337-2145;  FAX 319-337-7864
E-mail mjtemple@iastate.edu

 

..........more stories....................!

Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University

Last update: August 17, 2006  
Non-Discrimination Statement and Information Disclosures

Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to College of Family and Consumer Sciences Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar