Login / Signup

Farm to school programs in low-income, high minority K-12 schools in New Jersey before and after implementation of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act.

Robin DeWeeseAdam ThompsonFrancesco AcciaiPunam Ohri-Vachaspati
Published in: Journal of hunger & environmental nutrition (2023)
We analyzed the prevalence of farm to school (FTS) programs in K-12 schools in four low-income, high-minority cities in New Jersey before and after implementation of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), between school years 2010-11 and 2017-18. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model FTS participation and the prevalence of FTS before versus after HHFKA initiation. Schools showed a significant positive trend in FTS participation (OR 1.18; p=.010) over the study period. Nonetheless, 20% of schools participated in FTS for 3+ years over the eight-year study period. Findings underscore the importance of federal legislation in supporting child nutrition initiatives.
Keyphrases
  • physical activity
  • mental health
  • healthcare
  • primary care
  • quality improvement
  • public health
  • risk factors
  • high school