The effects of school gardens on fruit and vegetable consumption at school: A randomized controlled trial with low-income elementary schools in four U.S. states
Wells N., Myers B., Henderson C.
Preventive Medicine Reports (Elsevier)
Urban Farm DB summary
A two-year randomized controlled trial assigning 46 low-income elementary schools in Arkansas, Iowa, New York and Washington to school gardens with curriculum or a waitlist control. Children in the intervention increased fruit and low-fat vegetable consumption more than controls, supporting the effectiveness of school garden programs.
Key points
- 1School garden intervention increased children's consumption of fruit and low-fat vegetables.
- 2The study was a two-year randomized controlled trial involving 46 low-income elementary schools across four U.S. states.
- 3Higher intervention fidelity (robustness of implementation) predicted stronger effects on dietary intake.
- 4Specifically, the fidelity of lessons (GIF-lessons) was a potent predictor of changes in dietary intake.
- 5The intervention included classroom gardens, a curriculum on nutrition/plant science/horticulture, resources on soil/food safety, and an implementation guide.
Abstract and stored text
OpenAlexThis randomized controlled trial examines the effects of a school garden intervention on children's fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption at school over two years. We randomly assigned schools to the intervention group that received gardens and related curriculum (n = 24) or to the waitlist control group that received gardens and curriculum at the conclusion of the study (n = 22). Children in second, fourth, and fifth grade at baseline (n = 2767) in low-income schools (n = 46) in four U.S. States (Arkansas, Iowa, New York, and Washington) participated. The intervention comprised gardens for each classroom; a curriculum focused on nutrition, plant science, and horticulture, including activities and FV tasting sessions; resources for the school that addressed topics such as soil contamination and food safety; an implementation guide focused on issues related to planning, planting, and maintaining the garden through the year, engaging volunteers, summer gardening, building community capacity, and sustaining the gardening program. FV consumption was measured by photographing lunches before and after children ate, for 2-3 days, at baseline and at each of 3 subsequent periods of data collection during the intervention. FV consumption was calculated using Digital Food Image Analysis. Among children in the intervention, fruit consumption and low-fat vegetable consumption increased from pre-garden baseline to post-garden more than among control group children. Garden intervention fidelity (GIF) also predicted changes in dietary intake, with more robust interventions showing a stronger effect than weaker interventions. GIF-lessons was a particularly potent predictor of change in dietary intake. School gardens modestly increase children's FV consumption at school.
Why it matters for urban farming
This study demonstrates that school gardens can improve children's eating habits, which holds significant implications for citizen-driven urban farms. Urban farms can partner with local schools to implement similar garden programs, thereby promoting healthy eating habits from a young age. The emphasis on "intervention fidelity" and "GIF-lessons" suggests that well-structured educational components are crucial for success, and urban farms can leverage this insight to design effective educational programs for both children and adults. Furthermore, this research highlights the potential for urban farms to contribute to public health, particularly in low-income communities, by increasing access to and consumption of fresh produce. The comprehensive nature of the intervention (gardens, curriculum, resources, and an implementation guide) provides a valuable model for urban farm initiatives aiming for sustained impact.