Fruit and vegetable exposure in children is linked to the selection of a wider variety of healthy foods at school

Schools often offer healthy fruits and vegetables ( FV ) and healthy entrées. However, children may resist these efforts due to a lack of familiarity with the offerings. While numerous exposures with a food increase its liking, it may be that an exposure to a variety of FV at home leads to greater willingness to select other foods – even those that are unrelated to those eaten at home. As an initial test of this possibility, this study was designed to examine how self‐reports of exposure and consumption of various FV were associated with the selection of FV and lunch entrées at school. Participants ( n  = 59) were a convenience sample of elementary children. A median split was used to place students into high‐ and low‐exposure groups for self‐reports of both exposure and consumption at home. The primary dependent variables were self‐reports of selecting FV at school; the children's absolute and relative ratings of eight ‘healthier’ lunch entrées; and self‐reports of selecting these entrées. These entrées were recently added to the school menu and, therefore, tended to be less familiar to children. Food ratings were collected through taste exposures conducted at school. Results indicate that children who reported more frequent exposure to FV at home consumed a wider variety of FV at school and were more likely to report selecting ‘healthier’ entrées at school lunch. These data suggest that exposure to, and the consumption of, a variety of FV may make children more willing to select a wider range of FV and other healthy entrées.