Changing eating habits, time spent outside and food security with a garden curriculum

Abstract

Research shows children are not eating the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables, spending enough time outside and have an increased chance to be in a food insecure environment compared with 1999. Time spent in gardens and outdoors has been shown to reverse these trends and improve the health of children. The purpose of this project was to create a garden curriculum for Clearwater Farm connecting health, food and the environment to improve children's eating habits, boost time spent in natural outdoor areas and increase food security. A ten-week curriculum was written and used at Clearwater Farm in the summer of 2011 and ninety-nine students took part in one or more lessons. The author recommends that other organizations use the curriculum for target group enlightenment, feedback, and the cultivation of collaboration.