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Vegetables

Children's Preferences for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Revealed in UC Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a University of California study, children will choose fresh fruits and vegetables when given a variety of options. New federal dietary guidelines recommend 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, but school food service directors wonder how to get kids to eat this much produce. A study by the UC Davis-based Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP) found that children prefer fresh fruits and vegetables when given the choice.

Key Takeaways:

  • When a variety of fruits and vegetables is offered, kids take them, especially when options are fresh, according to Gail Feenstra, food systems analyst at UC SAREP.
  • Farm-to-school salad bar programs have taken root at many school districts across the country, increasing purchases from small- and mid-sized farms in local areas.
  • Seasonal fruit favorites among kids are strawberries, cherries, melons, and grapes, while preferred seasonal vegetables are carrots, lettuce mix, red bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
  • Children take more fruits and vegetables from the salad bar than the USDA hot lunch minimum.
  • Choice and variety are important dimensions of meals, for both health and social development, and kids prefer the salad bar because they can choose their food.

Statistics:

  • The Davis Joint Unified School District saw a 323% increase in total district produce purchases, from $13,000 to more than $42,000, with 38% coming from local growers.
  • The researchers took over 850 digital images of student lunches in Davis and the nearby rural community of Winters to track food choices.
  • The study found that children are taking more fruits and vegetables with a salad bar model, according to Feenstra.

Sources:

  • University of California study (no date mentioned)
  • Feenstra, Gail. Food systems analyst, UC Davis-based Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (UC SAREP).
  • Ohmart, Jeri. Program assistant, UC SAREP.
  • Salazar, Melissa. Graduate student, UC Davis School of Education.
  • Davis Joint Unified School District (no date mentioned)
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (no date mentioned)
  • Health & Medicine Week editors (Copyright 2005)

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