Offering free fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day affects students’ fruit and vegetable intake but is dependent upon implementation strategies

Most US youth eat too few fruits and vegetables (FV). Thus, in 2004, a federally funded program was established in 8 states to improve intake by offering free FV at schools, mainly in classrooms. Evaluation of Indiana program efforts to increase FV availability and improve intake of students in 4 th –8 th grades for the 06–07 school year was conducted by choosing 6/25 schools by convenience, administering questionnaires to teachers and students, and examining FV purchase records. Teachers (n=142) reported participation by internet survey; differences were detected using Kruskal‐Wallis with Mann‐Whitney post‐hoc tests. Students reported “yesterday” intake (portions/day) and demographics at baseline (n=1,227) and follow‐up (n=1,051). Data were analyzed using t‐tests and Chi Square, respectively. Significance was set at α=.05. Offerings varied among schools but overall were 81.6% fresh F, 15.8% V, 2.6% dry F. Student participation (94%) was high. Teacher participation (96%) was high but varied by school (p=.032). At follow‐up, students improved whole F intake (1.7±1.1 vs 1.2±1.1; mean portions ± SD; p<.001) but significance was limited to 4/6 schools; those at schools serving >20% V increased intake of certain V (p=.004). Availability of fresh FV improves intake but depends on implementation. Schools should offer more V to improve V intakes. Supported by Indiana Department of Education & Indiana University.