Evaluation of the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Fruit
and Vegetable Pilot Program (FVPP) made fresh vegetables and fresh
and dried fruits available free to children during non-lunch periods
in selected elementary and secondary schools. The USDA needed to
know if it was feasible to continue the FVPP on a permanent basis
and if students were interested in participating.
ICF Macro visited schools in four pilot States. Working closely
with USDA, we chose schools that represented a range of grade levels;
urban, suburban, and rural settings; socioeconomic levels; and FVPP
delivery mechanisms—classroom, kiosk, and free vending. The
study team spent a week in each State, visiting two schools for
a day and half and one school for a day. At each school, we conducted
ethnographic interviews with the FVPP manager, school principal
or assistant principal, food service director, and other food service
staff involved in the FVPP. We held a discussion group with 8 to
10 teachers as well as mini-focus groups, one with boys and one
with girls. Our staff observed the school’s promotional and
educational activities, FVPP delivery method, and consumption of
FVPP foods.
ICF Macro complemented the site visits with quantitative analysis
of information from reports submitted by all pilot schools. We examined
operational details such as the kinds of foods schools purchased
as a part of the pilot, the administrative costs incurred, days
of operation, and factors affecting implementation.
American Indian/Alaska Native Research and Outcomes
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Head Start programs have
not been included in major Head Start research projects because
the programs serve small, isolated populations. In a study, ICF Macro visited AI/AN Head Start programs, conducted focus groups,
and reviewed other information. We determined how children's progress
was being assessed and if the instruments in use were appropriate
to the unique culture and environmental aspects of AI/AN peoples.
As a result of our close examination of issues and practices related
to program monitoring, children and families in AI/AN Head Start
programs will benefit from stronger developmental screenings, enhanced
program monitoring and assessments, and a new agenda for basic and
applied research.
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