Harvest for Healthy Kids

Farm-to-preschool curriculum with activity kits, picture cards, and family newsletters for 13 fruits and vegetables, aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Framework.

Harvest for Healthy Kids (HHK) is a direct education and PSE change intervention that promotes healthy eating habits among preschoolers through repeated exposure to a variety of fruits and vegetables and contributes to vibrant and resilient local food systems. The curriculum includes materials for 13 foods. Each month, a target fruit or vegetable is featured in meals and classroom activities. The activity plan includes lessons (e.g., read-aloud book, cooking, planting) and "fast and fun" activities that could be used to transition children from one activity to the next (e.g., clapping out ru-ta-ba-ga). Picture cards are a key feature of the curriculum and show children how the food is grown and its different varieties. The program includes "Teacher Bites" with background information for each fruit or vegetable. To engage families in the program, teachers send home a monthly newsletter, which includes produce tips and a recipe. Recipes that feature the target foods are also available to allow early care and education settings to integrate the foods into their snack and meal service.

Evidence: Research-tested; quasi-experimental Head Start pilot increased willingness to try and liking of target produce

• Visit the resource website