Research & Practice
Mealtime Matters: Integrating Farm-To-Preschool Produce into Family Mealtimes
There is a documented lack of awareness and consumption of local, seasonal produce among families with young children. Early exposure to diverse, locally sourced foods has proved to help children develop an enjoyment for fresh produce, leading to lifelong healthy eating habits.
Partnering with the Farm-to Preschool (F2P) program at the UW Haring Center’s Experimental Education Unit (EEU), this project’s goal was to emphasize the importance of locality and creating a strong nutritional foundation for children at an early age, as weall as addressing the challenge parents face in making mealtimes enjoyable and stress free, promoting positive family dynamics around food.
Deliverables included nutrition education materials focusing on promoting local, seasonal produce in family households, fostering conversations between parents and children about food origins, and encouraging children to try new foods. The materials included a nutrition education activity book and infographics with mealtime tips for parents. These educational materials will be presented to the students and families at the EEU in the 2024-25 school year.
Next steps include:
- Pilot testing
- Impact evaluation
- Program expansion
- Continuous improvement
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum, PH Concentration Poster
Author(s): Kara Ikeda
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2024
Adviser(s):