Agricultural Experiences Are Positively Associated With High School Students’ Fruit and Vegetable Perceptions and Consumption

This study investigated whether agricultural experiences influenced high school students’ attitudes and behaviors related to eating fruits and vegetables. Researchers surveyed 327 students in a lower-income, diverse, urban community, asking about their experiences helping on a farm or having a home garden. They then looked at whether these experiences were linked to students’ perceptions of local produce, willingness to try new fruits and vegetables, and how much fruit and vegetables they actually ate. The study aimed to see if involving adolescents in agriculture could encourage them to eat healthier.

The study found that students who had prior farm experience or a home garden had more positive views about local produce and were more willing to try new fruits and vegetables. Students with a home garden were also more likely to eat enough vegetables. The study suggests that providing agricultural experiences to high school students could improve their attitudes toward healthy eating and increase vegetable consumption. The authors suggest that schools and communities consider agricultural programs to promote healthier eating habits among adolescents.

Greer, A.E., Davis, S., Sandolo, C., Gaudet, N., & Castrogivanni, B. (2018). Agricultural experiences are positively associated with high school students’ fruit and vegetable perceptions and consumption. J Nutr Educ Behav., 50(2), 133-140.e1.