Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Children

Ages 2-17 in Milan, Michigan

Milan, MI
• 100% of children attend school
• 27% of children are overweight or obese – this is a higher rate than Washtenaw County,
Michigan, and the national average
• 13% of children consume 0-1 servings of fruits/vegetables per day
• 8% of children consume 2 or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day
• 23% adults consume less than 1 serving of vegetables per day
• 42% adults consume less than 1 serving of fruit per day

Children are not consuming enough fruits and vegetables.

Why this is important?
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risk for obesity and other chronic
diseases in adults. Development of healthy eating behaviors during childhood have been
associated with healthy food choices into late adulthood; therefore, it is important for children to
consume a variety of fruits and vegetables at a young age.

Schools are in a unique position to influence and promote fruit and vegetable intake.
• Peer influence and social support are factors related to consumption
• Teachers can model healthy behaviors to reinforce nutrition and health messages
• Access and preference have been identified as important factors affecting food consumption.

Evidence of Effectiveness
After participating in school gardening and nutrition education curriculum, children increase
• Consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Ability to identify fruits and vegetables
• Willingness to taste vegetables grown in the garden
• Willingness to try vegetables in the school lunch
• Knowledge of and attitudes towards preferences
for fruits and vegetables.

Start your garden today!
Western Grower’s Foundation’s Collective School Network
provides step-by-step resources to plan, fund, plant, teach,
and eat in school gardens.

“Participation in school gardening, often combined with education, has been

associated with factors that influence consumption of fruits and vegetables.”