title: Evaluation of an Urban Farm-to-Preschool and Families Program.
abstract: Over the past 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has risen dramatically. Despite recent declines in prevalence among preschool-aged children, child obesity is still a significant public health concern. Healthy People 2020 objectives include increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among children over 2 years of age and increasing the number of schools that offer access to fresh fruits and vegetables. To reach these objectives, farm-to-school programs are being implemented across the United States. The purpose of this evaluation was to: (a) identify factors that facilitate adoption of the Farm-to-Preschool and Families program in Springfield, MA, specifically; and (b) provide recommendations and guidelines for successful implementation of Farm-to-Preschool and Families programs generally. Using a combination of classroom observations of preschoolers, teacher and food service interviews, and administrator surveys, the findings suggest that having a strong programmatic infrastructure, administrative support, and external support from families is important to sustain a Farm-to-Preschool and Families program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA ecarbone@nutrition.umass.edu.
authors.forename: Elena T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Gloria T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: DiFulvio
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Susi
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Framingham State University, Framingham, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jerusha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson-Peterman
authors.affiliation: Partners for a Healthier Community Inc., Springfield, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowbridge-Sisley
authors.affiliation: Partners for a Healthier Community Inc., Springfield, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: farm-to-preschool; farm-to-school; nutrition education; preschoolers