Results from the Development Research‐Intense Assessment Toolkit for a Sensory Nutrition Education Project Introducing Head Start Children to Exotic Fruits

Abstract

The FruitZotic (FZ) pilot research project aims to examine the feasibility of the development and testing of research instruments for sensory based exotic fruit nutrition education on Western Massachusetts Head Start children's willingness to try exotic fruits. Head Start preschoolers, ages 3–5 (n=245 children) were introduced to FZ on the basis of Head Start learning domains. During 2008–2010, a six‐week lesson series was implemented in two‐six classrooms per season (fall, and spring) over a 6‐week period. Pedagogies included book reading, sensory exploration and fruit tasting. New fruits (coconut, pineapple, kiwi) were selected under the theme “Fruits with Hair.” Book readings, craft activities, “circletime” tasting and pre‐ and post fruit cup waste measures were incorporated. FZ expanded with “Fruits from Afar” (mango, pomegranate, papaya, starfruit) and “Fruit Expo”. A modified rating scale [0–5, not willing to taste, willing to lick etc.] was designed to tracked changes in tasting progress. Baseline willingness assessment was introduced for evaluating classroom‐level changes in willingness to try exotic fruits. The 2‐year pilot project contributed to the design of research‐robust instruments to assess willingness to taste exotic fruits in children's natural learning environment. Project was funded by UMASS Commonwealth College Honors Grant and the Department of Nutrition UMASS Faculty Start‐up Funds.