Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE) Workshop

A training developed as part of the California School Garden Training Program www.lifelab.org/csgt Funded by a California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 2000, 2010 (*BMI



30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) 1990 2000 2010 No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

We have the potential to help change this trend!

A healthy diet, together with sufficient physical activity, can contribute to life-long physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing.

Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE)

Hands-on In The Garden Nutrition Concepts Edible Activities

Gardening and food preparation provide a fun, engaging, hands-on way to learn about nutritious food.

By Teaching GENE Lessons We Strive To: Teach students an appreciation of food and how it gets from farm to fork.

groups.

Research supports Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education

Students who plant and harvest their own fruits and veggies are more likely to eat them.

Morris, Zidenberg-Cherr UC Davis 2002

Three schools in Vacaville, CA  Nutrition education + gardening (GENE)  Nutrition education only (N)  Control group (regular instruction) 

GENE

group = significant improvements in 4 th grade students ’  Nutrition knowledge  Preferences for certain vegetables--both grown in the garden and from the supermarket

Also ~

 Increased consumption at home  Willingness to eat vegetables as a snack and ask a family member to buy certain vegetables  Follow-up showed that results were retained 6 months later

Specific Study on Increases in Consumption Idaho —6 th Graders McAleese & Rankin,

American Dietetic Association 2007

For GENE school  The number of servings of fruits and vegetables combined more than doubled from 1.93 to 4.5 servings per day.

 Significantly increased Vitamin C, A and Fiber consumption  Non GENE Schools No significant increase in fruit/veg, Vitamin C, A or Fiber intake.

GENE in Action Hands-on In The Garden Nutrition Concepts Edible Activities

MyPlate, My Garden

www.lifelab.org/garden-pathways/

Where is GENE Happening?

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php

WHERE ARE YOU FROM & WHAT DO YOU DO?

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php

Workshop Goals

 Recognize how garden-enhanced nutrition education promotes the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy lifestyles.

 Understand how to use an edible garden to engage young people in hands-on nutrition education activities.

 Learn tools and strategies for involving children and youth in safe food handling and preparation in a garden, kitchen, or classroom.

Workshop Goals

 Learn how to plan for an edible harvest.

 Become familiar with resources related to garden-enhanced nutrition education.

 Network with others involved in garden enhanced nutrition education around relevant topics, such as funding, policy, and best practices.

 Find GENE content at www.csgn.org/gene

www.lifelab.org/birthday.php