Journal Article

Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program: A Process Evaluation

He, Meizi, Bouck, Michelle Sangster, Stewart, Susan, Onge, Renée ST, Lemieux, Suzanne, Khoshaba, Linda, Beynon, Charlene

2011

Overview

A process evaluation was conducted of the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program (NFVPP), a government-funded health promotion initiative. The objectives were to determine how the program was implemented and to identify program facilitators and challenges. Facilitators and challenges in the implementation of the free fruit and vegetable snack program were assessed through qualitative interviews with school-level stakeholders (i.e., food preparers, teachers, and principals) and tracking wasted produce. The implementation of an enhanced nutrition education (ENE) component was assessed through a teacher survey. School-level stakeholders saw the NFVPP as a valuable program. Key facilitators included teacher role-modelling and sufficient funding for supplies and personnel. Key challenges included produce delivery, quality, wastage, and variety. The ENE component was minimally implemented. The study identified program strengths and areas that could be improved. As a result, changes were made to how the NFVPP was implemented in schools the following year. The use of qualitative methods enabled program planners to understand the program implementation process.

• Publisher: Dietitians of Canada
• Subject: Adolescent / Attitude of Health Personnel / Child / Child, Preschool / Female / Food Services / Fruit / Fruits / Health promotion / Health Promotion - methods / Humans / Male / Nutrition / Nutrition education / Nutritional Sciences - education / Ontario / Pilot Projects / Process Assessment (Health Care) / Qualitative research / Schools / Studies / Vegetables / Wellness programs