Cultivating seeds, nourishing minds: : a study of gardening instruction and the impact of student fruit and vegetable intake
Capstone Project (B.A.) Liberal Studies Department
Abstract
School gardening can and should be an activity that deepens the development of students’ healthy eating habits. Because healthy eating habits improve the quality of physical well-being, the young years of life are a vital period for reinforcement of this understanding. The purpose of this study was to investigate how school gardening activities impacted student health knowledge and preferences for fruits and vegetables. Students involved in a rural high school garden class located on the California Central Coast were surveyed to discover how gardening affected their fruit and vegetable intake. Results revealed that while gardening activities are beneficial, discussing the health benefits of fruits and vegetables with students can also reinforce habitual consumption and promote longevity.
