Evaluating a school-based fruit and vegetable co-op in low-income children: A quasi-experimental study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new school-based food co-op program, Brighter Bites (BB), to increase fruit and vegetable intake, and home nutrition environment among low-income 1st graders and their parents. This was a non-randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial (2013-2015). Six schools received BB (n= 407 parent-child dyads); six comparison schools implemented a coordinated school health program (n = 310 parent-child dyads) in Houston, Texas, 2013-2015. Brighter Bites (BB) is a 16-week school-based food co-op comprising weekly distribution of fresh produce (50 servings); nutrition education in schools and for parents; andweekly recipe tastings. Measurements included parent-reported home nutrition environment surveys, and food frequency questionnaires for parent and child. Intervention effects were examined using multivariate analyses. At baseline, the sample was 71% Hispanic, 24% African American; 43% of 1st graders were overweight/ obese. Children receiving BB had significant increases in intake of fruit servings (P = 0.046), vegetable servings (P = 0.049), and decreased intake of added sugars (P = 0.014). Among parents, there were significant increases in fruit consumed (P = 0.032); vegetable intake increased baseline to midpoint but not post-intervention. Among BB families, therewere significant improvements in the home environment including understanding and usage of nutrition facts labels to make food purchases (P < 0.05), frequency of cooking (P = 0.007), rules and practices regarding eating familymeals (P= 0.022), serving fruits (P= 0.005) and vegetables (P = 0.028) at meals, and limiting portion sizes (P= 0.016). In conclusion, a school-based food co-op model shows promising results in improving dietary habits and home nutrition environment among low-income families. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.