Implementation and evaluation of Cooking with Kids curriculum for LAUSD title I elementary schools: a component of the Canoga Park health improvement zone project

The purpose of this project was to implement and assess the efficacy of Cooking with Kids, a 5-week afterschool program for students at Canoga Park and Hart Elementary School, two Title I schools in the community of Canoga Park. The curriculum was designed to educate students to make healthy food choices through hands-on fruit and vegetable tastings. 146 students in grades 2-5 participated in the 5-week afterschool program. Pre- and posttest surveys were administered to determine whether the intervention increased students' fruit and vegetable intake and preferences. Findings from this project suggest that all students at both elementary schools consumed more fruits and vegetables as snacks after the 5-week program. Additionally, the students showed an improved liking in mandarin oranges and radishes, which were both foods they had tasted during the lessons. These findings may suggest that the Cooking with Kids program is an effective intervention that can be implemented at other Title I elementary schools.