Effects of School Gardens on Children's Diet, Nutritional Knowledge, Etc.

Healthy Gardens, Healthy Youth (HGHY): A People's Garden School Pilot Program

The purpose of this study is to determine whether school gardens influence children's dietary intake, nutritional knowledge, and other outcomes.

Schools in New York, Washington State, Iowa, and Arkansas were randomly assigned to receive school gardens and associated curriculum or to serve on the wait list control group that received gardens and curriculum at the end of the 2-year study. Baseline data were collected in Fall 2011. Garden interventions began in Spring 2012. Follow-up data were collected at 6, 12, 18 months following baseline data collection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Schools had at least 50% of enrolled children qualifying for free + reduced price meals (FRPM)
• Schools did not already have a school garden.

Exclusion Criteria:

none.